Microsoft KB Archive/109508

Knowledge Base

"Bad File Mode" Error When Running MS-DOS Help

Article ID: 109508

Article Last Modified on 11/22/1999

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft MS-DOS 6.0 Standard Edition
• Microsoft MS-DOS 6.2 Standard Edition
• Microsoft MS-DOS 6.21 Standard Edition
• Microsoft MS-DOS 6.22 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q109508

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 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 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

Additional query words: err msg 6.22 6.00 6.20 QBASIC On-Line Help

Keywords: KB109508

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