Microsoft KB Archive/164545

= ErrMsg: The Directory Name Is Invalid =

Article ID: 164545

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q164545



SYMPTOMS
When using the Pipe I/O redirection command ("|" without the quotes) in a batch file or in an MS-DOS session from within Windows NT, the following error may occur:

The directory name is invalid.



CAUSE
The environment size value for the Comspec variable was explicitly set to a value greater than 2048.

For example:

Under System Variables, the value for Comspec appears as follows:

  ComSpec %SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe /e:xxxx

Where %SystemRoot% will be the drive and directory name where NT is installed, and xxxx is a value equal to or greater than 2048.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, perform one of the following:  Remove the /e:xxxx switch from the Comspec environment variable.

The ComSpec environment variable is dynamic for Windows. Removing the /e: switch and its value may allow proper execution of the command.

-or- Use the redirection symbol ( > ) to perform the equivalent command.

Example:

DIR *.* | MORE 

This command is equivalent to

'''DIR *.* > PIPE0

MORE < PIPE0 '''





STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51 and 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: Pipe redirection invalid

Keywords: kbbug kbenv KB164545

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