BUG: Cannot Open MASM 6.0 Sample Programs from PWB Online Help (72391)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Programmer's Workbench for MS-DOS 1.0
  • Microsoft Programmer's Workbench for MS-DOS 1.1
  • Microsoft Programmer's Workbench for MS-DOS 2.0
  • Microsoft Programmer's Workbench for MS-DOS 2.1.49
This article was previously published under Q72391

SYMPTOMS

Attempting to access the Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) version 6.0 sample help programs through the Programmer's WorkBench (PWB) version 1.00 or 1.10 online help system will generate an error. For example, the following message results from trying to view the file C.ASM:
Cannot open [$ASMEX:MIXED\C.ASM]: Not found
Selecting any one of the sample programs should cause a copy of the program to be loaded into the help window, but the DOS version of PWB generates the above message instead.

RESOLUTION

The following three methods may be used to work around this problem:
  1. Change directories to the MASM 6.0 samples subdirectory (by default, this is C:\MASM\SAMPLES). This can be easily accomplished if the ASMEX environment variable has been correctly set to point to your samples directory. Choose Open on the File menu and type in $ASMEX: and press ENTER. Next, choose Cancel to return to the editor. Attempts to access sample program files from the online help will now be successful as long as you do not change the current directory. - or -

  2. Load the file directly into the editor. The programs will be in one of four subdirectories under the MASM 6.0 samples directory: \DEMOS, \TSR, \MIXED, or \SHOW. Choose Open on the File menu, and then there are three ways to open the sample files:

    2. Switch to the directory of the desired example file by using the dialog box controls and then select the desired file.
    3. Enter the full path name of the file and press ENTER, for example:

      C:\MASM\SAMPLES\MIXED\C.ASM

    4. Use the ASMEX environment variable to specify the path to the file, for example:

      $ASMEX:MIXED\C.ASM

    - or -

  3. Access the online help through the QuickHelp utility. The sample help files are correctly located by QuickHelp.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

To reproduce this error, follow these steps:
  1. Choose Contents on the PWB Help menu.
  2. Choose Assembly in the "Languages" section of the main "Microsoft Advisor Help System" screen.
  3. Choose Example Code in the "Related Programs" section of the "MASM 6.00 Contents" help screen.
  4. Choose Mixed Languages from the "Example Code" selection screen.
  5. Choose a file, such as C.ASM, and the above error will be displayed.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/30/2003
Keywords:KB72391
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.