Microsoft KB Archive/128347

Error Message: The Specified Path Is Invalid

PSS ID Number: Q128347 Article last modified on 08-22-1995

95

WINDOWS

= SYMPTOMS =

When you try to run a program in Windows 95, the program may not start. Instead, you may receive one of the following error messages:


 * The specified path is invalid
 * Directory name is invalid

= CAUSE =

This error message can be misleading. If you verify that the path is valid, the error message may be caused by one of the following situations:


 * Applications written to conform to Windows version 2.x application components are incompatible with Windows 95. SuperBase4 is an example of such an application.
 * The application cannot find a required .DLL file. For example, Visual Basic applications require the VBRUN100.DLL, VBRUN200.DLL, or VBRUN300.DLL file to be in the Windowsfolder.
 * If you receive this error message when you try to run a program from a CD-ROM, you may be loading an outdated version of MSCDEX in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

= RESOLUTION =

To resolve the problem, use one of the following methods:

  Contact the application’s manufacturer about a possible upgrade.   Reinstall the application to make sure all the necessary files are copied to the appropriate folders.   If the CD-ROM drive in your computer cannot use Windows 95 protected- mode drivers, make sure that you load MSCDEX from the Windowsfolder. For example, the line for MSCDEX in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file should be similar to: C:.EXE  

= STATUS =

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows 95. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

KBCategory: kberrmsg kb3rdparty KBSubcategory: wpp95 win95 appscomp Additional reference words: 95 vbrunxxx.dll

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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995.