DOCUMENT:Q109508 22-NOV-1999 [msdos] TITLE :"Bad File Mode" Error When Running MS-DOS Help PRODUCT :Microsoft Disk Operating System PROD/VER:MS-DOS:6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, 6.22 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== Starting MS-DOS Help results in the following error message: Bad File Mode CAUSE ===== "Bad File Mode" is a QBasic error message that can be generated under several different circumstances. Typically, this error occurs when HELP.COM, HELP.HLP, QBASIC.HLP, or QBASIC.EXE is corrupted. WORKAROUND ========== To work around this problem: 1. Copy QBASIC.EXE and HELP.COM from your original MS-DOS 6.x Upgrade disks to the directory that contains your MS-DOS files (typically C:\DOS). 2. Expand HELP.HL_ to HELP.HLP. For example, if the directory that contains your MS-DOS files is C:\DOS, and your original MS-DOS disk is in drive A, type "expand a:\help.hl_ c:\dos\help.hlp" (without the quotation marks) at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER. 3. Expand QBASIC.HL_ to QBASIC.HLP. For example, if the directory that contains your MS-DOS files is C:\DOS, and your original MS-DOS disk is in drive A, type "expand a:\qbasic.hl_ c:\dos\qbasic.hlp" (without the quotation marks) at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER. MORE INFORMATION ================ For a more detailed explanation of this error message, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: " Bad File Mode " (without the quotation marks) Additional query words: err msg 6.22 6.00 6.20 QBASIC On-Line Help ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS621 kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620 kbMSDOS600 Version : MS-DOS:6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22 ============================================================================= 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. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.