Trailing Space in SET TEMP Causes Printing Problems in Windows

ID: Q69085

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

If the SET TEMP= line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file contains a space at the end of the line (after the last character), you will encounter problems when using Windows applications in Microsoft Windows.

NOTE: If the SET TEMP= line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT does not have the backslash character, (SET TEMP=C:TEMP) the same problems will occur in Windows 3.1.

WORKAROUND

To correct the problem, reenter the SET TEMP= line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, being careful not to include any spaces except the one between SET and TEMP.

If using Windows 3.1, be sure to include the backslash character:

SET TEMP=C:\TEMP

Save the edited AUTOEXEC.BAT file and reboot the system.

MORE INFORMATION

A trailing space in the SET TEMP= line of the AUTOEXEC.BAT file can cause problems when Microsoft Windows version 3.x tries to access the declared directory.

The symptoms that you observe will be different in different applications. The symptoms of some common applications are described below.

Calendar (CALENDAR.EXE)

When executed, Calendar will display an error message:

Warning: Unable to create file needed to save changes; changes you are going to make will not be saved.

Cardfile (CARDFILE.EXE)

When executed, Cardfile will display an error message:

Warning: Cardfile will not be able to save changes; delete one or more files to increase available disk space and try again.

Paintbrush (PBRUSH.EXE)

The Print command under the File menu will be grayed.

Notepad (NOTEPAD.EXE)

The Print command under the File menu will be grayed.

SysEdit (SYSEDIT.EXE)

The Print command under the File menu will be grayed.

Write (WRITE.EXE)

When executed, Write will display an error message:

System Error: Cannot find TEMP.WRI

followed by another error

Insufficient memory to run Write; close one or more Windows applications to increase available memory.

Excel Versions 2.x (EXCEL.EXE)

When the Print command is selected from the File menu, Excel displays an error message

Error printing on XXXX

where XXXX is the description of the current printer driver and port.

Excel Version 3.00 (EXCEL.EXE)

When the Print command is selected from the File menu, Excel displays an error message

Cannot open printer driver

followed by another error

Error printing on XXXX

where XXXX is the description of the current printer driver and port.

Word for Windows (WINWORD.EXE)

When the Print command is selected from the File menu, Word for Windows displays an error message:

Cannot print

PowerPoint (POWERPNT.EXE)

When the Print command is selected from the File menu, PowerPoint displays an error message

Sorry, memory is too full to perform operation

Similar errors may also occur when the Windows directory is missing from the path statement.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.0 3.0a 3.00a 3.10 3.11

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :