Q94956: DOCERR: WinExec() Error Codes in Windows 3.0/3.1
Article: Q94956
Product(s): Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.1
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s): kb16bitonly
Last Modified: 06-NOV-1999
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The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) versions 3.0, 3.1
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SUMMARY
=======
The Windows version 3.1 Software Development Kit (SDK) "Programmer's Reference,
Volume 2: Functions" lists most of the error codes for a WinExec() or
LoadModule() call; however, this list is not complete. This article details the
error codes that are either deleted, added, or not documented in the SDK
documentation. A complete list of the error codes is presented at the end of
this article.
MORE INFORMATION
================
The WinExec() function is used to start an application whether or not the
application is based on Windows from within a Windows-based application. The
value returned from WinExec() is greater than 32 (or HINSTANCE_ERROR) if the
execution is successful; otherwise, the value returned is an error code.
The Windows 3.1 SDK "Programmer's Reference, Volume 2: Functions" documents the
WinExec() application programming interface (API) on pages 983-984 and lists
most of the error codes. This list of WinExec() error codes is updated from the
Windows version 3.0 SDK "Reference, Volume 1." Some of the error codes are
removed from Windows 3.0 because they no longer apply, and some new error codes
are added.
Deleted Error Codes
-------------------
For example, the error codes that are deleted from the Windows 3.1 documentation
include the following:
17 Attempt was made in large-frame EMS mode to load a second instance
of an application that links to certain nonshareable DLLs that are
already in use.
18 Attempt was made in real mode to load an application marked for
use in protected mode only.
These error codes are eliminated from the Windows 3.1 documentation because
either they cannot occur or real mode does not exist in Windows 3.1. These
values must be considered, however, for applications that run in both Windows
versions 3.0 and 3.1.
Added Error Codes
-----------------
The error codes that are added to Windows 3.1 documentation include the
following:
8 There was insufficient memory to start the application.
19 Attempt was made to load a compressed executable file. The
file must be decompressed before it can be loaded.
20 Dynamic-link library (DLL) file was invalid. One of the DLLs
required to run this application was corrupt.
21 Application requires Microsoft Windows 32-bit extensions.
If an application wants to use error codes 19, 20, and 21 and still run under
Windows versions 3.0 and 3.1, then version-checking must be done in the
application.
Missing Error Codes
-------------------
The error codes that are missing from the Windows versions 3.0 and 3.1
documentation include:
1 Call to MS-DOS Int 21 Function 4B00h was invalid (impossible
condition in Windows).
4 Too many files open.
7 There were MS-DOS Memory block problems (impossible condition in
Windows).
9 There were MS-DOS Memory block problems (impossible condition in
Windows).
Windows 3.1 does not document error codes 1, 7, and 9 because these values occur
only under MS-DOS and not in Windows. Thus they pertain only to MS- DOS.
Error codes above 21 under Windows 3.1 and error codes above 18 under Windows 3.0
are undocumented because they are reserved for future use, and therefore
applications should not use these error codes.
Because the documentation for WinExec() in the Windows SDK is not complete, the
following table provides the most complete list of the error codes for the
WinExec() function. Note that many of these error codes are the same as those of
the LoadLibrary() function and the MS-DOS call Interrupt 21 function 4B00h,
because WinExec() just performs some preprocessing and then calls Interrupt 21.
Return Meaning
Value
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0 System was out of memory, executable file was corrupt, or
relocations were invalid.
1 Call to MS-DOS Int 21 Function 4B00h was invalid
(impossible condition in Windows).
2 File was not found.
3 Path was not found.
4 Too many files were open.
5 Attempt was made to dynamically link to a task, or
there was a sharing or network-protection error.
6 Library requires separate data segments for each task.
7 There were MS-DOS Memory block problems
(impossible condition in Windows).
8 Insufficient memory to load application.
9 There were MS-DOS Memory block problems
(impossible condition in Windows).
10 Windows version was incorrect.
11 The .EXE file was invalid. Either it was a non-Windows
.EXE file or there was an error in the .EXE image.
12 Application was designed for a different operating system.
13 Application was designed for MS-DOS 4.0.
14 The .EXE type was unknown.
15 Attempt was made in protected mode to load a real mode
application.
16 Attempt was made to load a second instance of an .EXE file
containing multiple, writable data segments.
17 Attempt was made in large-frame EMS mode to load a second
instance of an application that links to certain nonshareable
DLLs that are already in use.
18 Attempt was made in real mode to load an application marked
for use in protected mode only.
19 Attempt was made to load a compressed executable file. The
file must be decompressed before it can be loaded.
20 Dynamic-link library (DLL) file was invalid. One of the DLLs
required to run this application was corrupt.
21 Application requires Microsoft Windows 32-bit extensions.
22-31 RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE. NOT RETURNED BY VERSION 3.0.
Additional query words: 3.00 3.10 docerr
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Keywords : kb16bitonly
Technology : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbSDKSearch kbWinSDKSearch kbWinSDK300 kbWinSDK310
Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.1
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