KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q104987: MakeSys Hangs or Creates Invalid Files, Causing System Hang

Article: Q104987
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:6.2,6.22
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 25-NOV-1999

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

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 6.2, 6.22 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This information applies to both Microsoft DoubleSpace and Microsoft
DriveSpace. For MS-DOS 6.22, use DRVSPACE in place of DBLSPACE for commands
and filenames.

SYMPTOMS
========

If Microsoft MS-DOS MakeSys (included in the downloadable version of MS-DOS 6.2
and 6.22 Step-Up) does not find a valid signature (FXPF) at the beginning of the
patch file, it displays the following error message

  Fatal error: MakeSys could not create the new <filename> file because
  it could not find the original MS-DOS 6 version of <filename>. For more
  information, see the README.NOW file in the directory that contains your
  MS-DOS 6.2 Step-Up files.

where <filename> is IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, or DBLSPACE.BIN.

CAUSE
=====

This error occurs when MakeSys is unable to create the new MS-DOS system files
because:

- One of the binary patch files (DBLSPACE.BI#, MSDOS.SY#, or IO.SY#) is
  damaged.

  NOTE: If the patch file is severely corrupted, MakeSys may stop responding
  (hang).

-or-

- There are too many files in the root directory.

-or-

- One of the source files (DBLSPACE.BIN, MSDOS.SYS, or IO.SYS) does not match
  the file included with the MS-DOS 6.0 or 6.2 Upgrade.

RESOLUTION
==========

If the patch files are corrupted, download the MS-DOS 6.2 Step-Up from the
bulletin board again and re-run MakeSys using the new files.

If there are too many files in the root directory, move some of them to a
subdirectory so that you do not have more than 500 files, including hidden and
system files, in the root directory.

NOTE: To obtain a directory listing of all files in the root of drive C,
including hidden and system files, type the following at the MS-DOS command
prompt and then press ENTER:

  " dir c:\ /a" (without the quotation marks)

If your source files do not match the files included with the MS-DOS 6.0 or 6.2
Upgrade, see the README.NOW file for instructions on replacing your MS-DOS 6.0
or 6.2 system files.


Additional query words: 6.20 update bbs make sys

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620
Version           : MS-DOS:6.2,6.22

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

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.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.