Runtime Error 6009 - Default Environment Size

 Last reviewed: October 21, 1994
Article ID: Q119365
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5.

SYMPTOMS

When you run an MS-DOS - based application that requires a large amount of environment space, such as a compiler, you may encounter Runtime Error 6009.

CAUSE

This error occurs when there are not enough bytes allocated for the environment.

The default environment size for MS-DOS - based applications running under Windows NT is 256 bytes. Windows NT sets up many more variables than an average MS-DOS operating system usually does and can quickly meet the default size. The following list is an example of default variables after you install Windows NT over MS-DOS: 

   COMSPEC
   COMPUTERNAME
   HOMEDRIVE
   HOMEPATH
   MOUSE
   OS
   OS2LIBPATH
   PATH
   PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE
   PROCESSOR_LEVEL
   PROMPT
   SYSTEMROOT
   TEMP
   USERDOMAIN
   USERNAME
   WINDIR

WORKAROUND

The environment size can be adjusted from the command line or in a .BAT or .CMD file in the SYSTEM32 directory by adding the following line: 

   COMMAND /E:XXXX
Additionally, you can use the /P parameter to make the new command interpreter permanent, and you can use the /C parameter to run a specific program after initiating Command.

The environment can also be changed by adding the following line to the CONFIG.NT file in the SYSTEM32 subdirectory 

   SHELL=%SYSTEMROOT%\SYSTEM32\COMMAND.COM /E:SIZE /P
where "SIZE" is the maximum length in bytes you want COMMAND.COM to allocate for each program.

The maximum size for the environment is 32768 bytes.

REFERENCES

For more information about the Windows NT command prompt and commands for the MS-DOS and Windows NT subsystems, please see Chapter 9 of the Windows NT "System Guide."

Additional reference words: prodnt 3.10 3.50 err msg
KBCategory: kb3rdparty kbinterop
KBSubCategory: ntdosap nthowto

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: October 21, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.