BUG: #pragma data_seg May Cause L1101 Error

The information in this article applies to:

• The Microsoft Linker (LINK.EXE), included with: Microsoft Visual C++ for Windows, versions 1.5, 1.51, 1.52

SYMPTOMS

When you use #pragma data_seg() to name a data segment and the module includes a character pointer initialized to point to a string constant, the linker reports this fatal error:

   test.obj(test.c) : fatal error L1101 : Invalid Object Module
   Object file offset: xxx Record type: a0

RESOLUTION

Here are two possible workarounds:

• Use an array to set the initial value for the string. Then assign the address of the array to the pointer variable. This is demonstrated in the sample code below.

  -or-

• Use the /ND"data_seg_name" compiler switch to name the data segment instead of using #pragma data_seg() in the code.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Sample Code to Reproduce Problem

/* Compile options needed: none
*/

/* comment out this line to avoid the error */
char *pszMsg="L1101";

/* uncomment the following section and use it as a work-around */

/*
char achMsg[] = "L1101";
char __far *pszMsg = achMsg;
*/

void main()