PRB: L1083 Error From Incorrect CONFIG.SYS FILES Statement

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft LINK for MS-DOS, versions 3.x, 4.x, 5.01.20, 5.01.21, 5.02, 5.03, 5.05, 5.1, 5.11, 5.13, 5.15, 5.3, 5.31.009, 5.5, and 5.6

SYMPTOMS

An attempt to link a file fails and Microsoft LINK generates the following message:

   L1083 Cannot Open Run File

CAUSE

The four most likely causes for this error are as follows:

• The FILES statement in the CONFIG.SYS file specifies more than 20 files in versions of MS-DOS prior to version 3.3.
• The FILES statement includes one or more space characters before or after the equals sign (=)
• The FILES statement contains trailing spaces.
• The application is still running in another window.

• The disk or the root directory was full.
• Another process opened or deleted the file.
• A read-only file existed with the same name.
• The floppy disk containing the file was removed.
• A hard-disk error occurred. (Try running chkdsk.)

RESOLUTION

To address this problem, edit the CONFIG.SYS file to decrease the number of files specified in the FILES statement, delete any embedded or trailing spaces in the FILES statement, or update to MS-DOS version 3.3 or later. Also make sure all previous instances of the application have been terminated.