KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q81768: Windows Err Msg: !Error Building WIN.COM…(From MS-DOS Setup)

Article: Q81768
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 26-OCT-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When running Windows Setup from MS-DOS and attempting to change display drivers,
you may receive the following message:

  !ERROR BUILDING WIN.COM!
  F3 = Exit

There is no way to bypass this message.

CAUSE
=====

This message is due to Setup's inability to alter the WIN.COM file to reflect
the change in display drivers.

WORKAROUND
==========

Use the MS-DOS command ATTRIB or a third-party utility program to remove any
read-only attributes from WIN.COM. This allows Setup to modify WIN.COM and make
the requested change. The only attribute WIN.COM should have is "A" (that is,
Archive).

MORE INFORMATION
================

This information applies to Microsoft Windows versions 3.0 and 3.0a; it does not
apply to later versions of Windows.

Additional query words: 3.0 3.0a 3.00 3.00a errmsg err msg error message

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.