PRB: /Fb May Cause A1006 in Low Memory Situations

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

SYMPTOMS

When using the /Fb switch to create a bound executable with the Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) version 6.0, 6.0a, or 6.0b, assembling a file with "ml /Fb <filename>" may result in the following error:

   A1006: invalid command-line option : Unable to run LINK.EXE

CAUSE

When running MASM in low memory situations under MS-DOS, the /Fb switch causes this unexpected fatal error. This typically occurs when there is less than 490K of available conventional memory.

RESOLUTION

The /Fb switch does not work in low memory situations under MS-DOS; however, it does work if you increase the amount of available memory under MS-DOS or if you run under OS/2. To work around this problem in MS-DOS, do the following:

   1. Assemble and link your program without the /Fb option. This
      will generate an .EXE file.

   2. Run the BIND utility on the .EXE file using the syntax shown on
      page 5 of the "Microsoft Macro Assembler Reference."