Windows Err Msg with MS-DOS 6: EMM386: Unable to Start (97016)

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 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 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.