FIX: MASM 6.0 Setup May Generate "Bad Full Path" Error Message

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Macro Assembler for MS-DOS, version 6.0, 6.0a, and 6.0b

SYMPTOMS

The setup program for the Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) version 6.0, 6.0a, or 6.0b may generate the following error:

   Bad Full Path 'c:\test\temp'.

CAUSE

This error will occur under the following conditions:

   1. The TMP environment variable is set to a subdirectory two or
      more levels deep, such as C:\TEST\TEMP.

   2. You have selected "Install the Macro Assembler" from the Setup
      program's Main Menu screen.

RESOLUTION

Other than choosing "Install the Macro Assembler Using Defaults" from the Main Menu screen, this error can be eliminated by using one of the following three methods:

   1. Temporarily clear the TMP environment variable. After Setup has
      completed, you can reset TMP. This is only a conflict with the
      Setup program, so resetting TMP will not cause any problems with
      the execution of MASM.

      -or-

   2. Add a trailing backslash ("\") to the TMP environment variable.
      For example, set TMP as follows:

      C:\TEST\TMP\

      -or-

   3. Set TMP to a subdirectory that is only one level deep. For
      example:

      C:\TEST

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in MASM for MS-DOS versions 6.0, 6.0a, and 6.0b. This is not a problem in MASM for OS/2 versions 6.0, 6.0a, or 6.0b. This problem was corrected in MASM for MS-DOS version 6.1.

MORE INFORMATION

Note that this problem occurs with the Microsoft C/C++ 7.0 character based installation program as well.