DOCUMENT:Q97016 16-NOV-1999 [msdos] TITLE :Windows Err Msg with MS-DOS 6: EMM386: Unable to Start PRODUCT :Microsoft Disk Operating System PROD/VER:MS-DOS:6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22; WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, 6.22 - Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== If you start Microsoft Windows in 386 enhanced mode after you upgrade to MS- DOS, you may receive the following error message: EMM386: Unable to start enhanced mode Windows due to invalid path specification for EMM386 CAUSE ===== This error can be caused by the following: - A possible incompatibility between Windows, EMM386.EXE version 4.45, and VSafe. For more information, type "help vsafe" (without the quotation marks) at the MS-DOS command prompt, press ENTER, and then choose Note. - The presence of MS-DOS CHKLIST.MS (or older Central Point CHKLIST.CPS) check list files in your Windows or MS-DOS directory. - With MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade, running Microsoft Anti-Virus (MSAV) before running MS-DOS 6.2 Step-Up installation, and loading the MS-DOS VSafe program. WORKAROUND ========== If you are running the MS-DOS version of VSafe (not Central Point VSafe or PC Tools Vdefend), you should first add the /Y parameter (along with the path to EMM386.EXE) to the DEVICE command for EMM386.EXE in your CONFIG.SYS file. For example, add the following: device=c:\dos\emm386.exe noems /y=c:\dos\emm386.exe If you are running MS-DOS 6.0, work around this problem as follows: - Unload VSafe by typing "vsafe /u" (without the quotation marks) at the MS-DOS command prompt, or change the command for VSafe in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so that it has the path to the DOS directory (for example, C:\DOS\VSAFE.COM) and then restart your computer. -or- - Delete the CHKLIST.MS files (and any CHKLIST.CPS files) from the Windows or \DOS directories. -or- - Use the Windows version of EMM386.EXE. If the problem occurred when you upgraded to MS-DOS 6.2, try the following: - Run MSAV again after upgrading. -or- - Delete the CHKLIST.MS file from your Windows or MS-DOS directory. -or- - Unload Vsafe before running Windows. Additional query words: 6.22 6.00 6 nav norton nortons norton's anti virus anti-virus nav& sys nav&.sys stepup ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311 kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS621 kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620 kbMSDOS600 Version : MS-DOS:6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22; WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11 ============================================================================= 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.