"Bad File Mode" Error When Running MS-DOS Help (109508)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.21
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22
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

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/22/1999
Keywords:KB109508
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.