"Path/File Access" Opening a "NUL" File on a Novell Network (32729)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft QuickBASIC 4.0
  • Microsoft QuickBASIC 4.0b
  • Microsoft QuickBASIC 4.5
  • Microsoft BASIC Compiler for MS-DOS and OS/2 6.0
  • Microsoft BASIC Compiler for MS-DOS and OS/2 6.0b
  • Microsoft Basic Professional Development System (PDS) for MS-DOS and MS OS/2 7.0
This article was previously published under Q32729

SUMMARY

It has been reported that opening a "NUL" file on a Novell Network gives a "Path/File access" error message if you are not running on the server machine.

Another customer reported that opening a "NUL" file when the current drive is a server on a Token Ring Network gives a "Disk Not Ready" message. The same test on the IBM PC Network gives an "I/O error".

This information applies to Microsoft QuickBasic Versions 4.00 4.00b and 4.50, to Microsoft Basic Compiler Versions 6.00 and 6.00b for MS-DOS and MS OS/2, and Microsoft Basic PDS Version 7.00 for MS-DOS and MS OS/2.

You can work around the problem as follows: 
   OPEN "\DEV\NUL" FOR OUTPUT AS #1

MORE INFORMATION

MS-DOS uses the "\DEV\" prefix for logical system filenames, and it does not attach a directory search path for the name. This applies only to the following system filenames: LPT1:, COM1:, COM2:, SCRN:, CON:, and NUL:. The colon (:) may be omitted when referencing the logical filename.

Please note that Microsoft QuickBasic Versions 4.00, 4.00b, and 4.50, Microsoft Basic Compiler Versions 6.00 and 6.00b, and Microsoft Basic PDS Version 7.00 are designed only for the IBM PC Network or networks compatible with the MS-Net standard. Compiled Basic programs access the IBM PC Network and the MS Network with standard MS-DOS (Versions 3.00 and later) network calls. Microsoft QuickBasic and Microsoft Basic Compiler are not tested or supported on the Novell Network or IBM Token Ring Network.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/8/2003
Keywords:KB32729
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