ErrMsg: The Directory Name Is Invalid (164545)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
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:
This command is equivalent to
DIR *.* > PIPE0 <enter>
MORE < PIPE0 <enter>
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.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 8/9/2001 |
|---|
| Keywords: | kbbug kbenv KB164545 |
|---|
|