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Q109508: "Bad File Mode" Error When Running MS-DOS Help

Article: Q109508
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 22-NOV-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, 6.22 
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SYMPTOMS
========

Starting MS-DOS Help results in the following error message:

  Bad File Mode

CAUSE
=====

"Bad File Mode" is a QBasic error message that can be generated under several
different circumstances. Typically, this error occurs when HELP.COM, HELP.HLP,
QBASIC.HLP, or QBASIC.EXE is corrupted.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem:

1. Copy QBASIC.EXE and HELP.COM from your original MS-DOS 6.x Upgrade disks to
  the directory that contains your MS-DOS files (typically C:\DOS).

2. Expand HELP.HL_ to HELP.HLP. For example, if the directory that contains your
  MS-DOS files is C:\DOS, and your original MS-DOS disk is in drive A, type
  "expand a:\help.hl_ c:\dos\help.hlp" (without the quotation marks) at the
  MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER.

3. Expand QBASIC.HL_ to QBASIC.HLP. For example, if the directory that contains
  your MS-DOS files is C:\DOS, and your original MS-DOS disk is in drive A,
  type "expand a:\qbasic.hl_ c:\dos\qbasic.hlp" (without the quotation marks)
  at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER.

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

For a more detailed explanation of this error message, query on the following
words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  " Bad File Mode " (without the quotation marks)


Additional query words: err msg 6.22 6.00 6.20 QBASIC On-Line Help

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS621 kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620 kbMSDOS600
Version           : MS-DOS:6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22

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