BUG: INSTALL /N Adds a Semicolon (;) to Beginning of PATH

ID: Q111523

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.5, 2.5a, and 2.5b

SYMPTOMS

If the PATH environment variable in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file already contains the Administrative Installation directory, the Network Installation (INSTALL /N) adds an extra semicolon (;) to the beginning of the PATH statement.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in FoxPro versions 2.5, 2.5a, and 2.5b for MS-DOS. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. At the MS-DOS command prompt, type "PATH" (without the quotation marks)

   to view the current PATH environment variable. In this example, assume
   that the Administrative Installation directory is N:\ADMIN, and that
   typing PATH displays the following:

      PATH=C:\DOS;N:\ADMIN

2. At the MS-DOS command prompt, type the following to start the

   installation program and create a Network Installation in the C:\FOX
   directory:

      N:
      CD\ADMIN
      INSTALL /N C:\FOX

3. At the installation program's Welcome screen, press any key to continue.

4. When prompted for the installation directory, press the ENTER key (which

   defaults to Yes) to accept the default directory, which should be
   C:\FOX.

5. When prompted to add the installation directory to the PATH statement in

   the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, press ENTER (which defaults to Yes).

6. At the screen that informs you that a backup of AUTOEXEC.BAT was saved,

   press any key to continue.

7. At the screen that says "The Basic portion of installation is

   complete," press the ESC key to quit.

8. At the Installation Complete screen, press any key to continue.

   You are now returned to the MS-DOS prompt.

9. Use a text editor, or type the following command at the MS-DOS command

   prompt to view the contents of the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Look for the PATH
   statement.

      TYPE C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT | MORE

Note that the path statement contains an extra semicolon before the first path name. In this example, the PATH statement will look like one of the following:

   PATH ;C:\FOX;C:\DOS;N:\ADMIN

   -or-

   SET PATH = ;C:\FOX;C:\DOS;N:\ADMIN

Additional reference words: FoxDos 2.50 2.50a 2.50b buglist2.50 buglist2.50a buglist2.50b KBCategory: kbsetup kbnetwork kbbuglist KBSubcategory:

Last Reviewed: April 18, 1995