Terminal: Cannot Save Files with MS-DOS Device Driver Names

Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q81042

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a

When you save files using Terminal, MS-DOS device drivers cannot be used as valid filenames. If you attempt to save a file that is an MS-DOS device filename such as COM1, the following error occurs:

   Cannot write file; check to see if your disk is full.

In this case, the disk is not actually full. Instead, an MS-DOS device driver filename is being used or is simply reserved. Below is a list of MS-DOS device driver filenames that produce the error above:

   CON
   AUX
   CLOCK$
   COM1
   COM2
   COM3
   COM4
   PRN
   LPT1
   LPT2
   LPT3

KBCategory: kbtool kbenv kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: win30 wincomm
Additional reference words: 3.0 3.0a 3.00 3.00a

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.