There are hundreds of error messages in DOS. Messages that generally occur more frequently are explained below:
Access denied
The file you are deleting is protected or is in use by another application. See DOS Attrib.
Bad command or file name
Means that DOS does not understand the command you entered, or it cannot find the program you asked it to run.
Data error reading drive X
Means that an area of the disk is unreadable. Press R to retry. Most likely, you'll have to press A to stop (abort). If the data or program is critical and there's no backup, use a utility program to try to reconstruct the damaged area. See DOS Recover.
Duplicate file name or file not found
Means that you are referencing a file that does not exist or that you are renaming a file to a file name that already does exist.
It may also mean that the file you are renaming is being used by someone else on the network. The file must be closed by that user(s) in order for you to rename it.
Exception error 12
Means that DOS does not have enough room to handle hardware interrupts. Increase the number of stacks in the STACKS= command in the CONFIG.SYS file (see DOS Stacks).
File Not Found
Means DOS cannot locate the file you have specified. Use the Dir command to check its spelling. It may be also be in another directory.
General failure reading drive X
Abort, Retry, Fail?
Usually means that an unformatted floppy is being used. Press A to Abort, format the floppy and try again. You'll also get this if you try to read a high-density disk in a low-density drive. High-density disks require high-density drives.
Incorrect DOS Version
Means that the command you are using belongs to another version of DOS. Somehow an earlier or later version of a command is on your hard disk. Commands from one DOS version often do not work in other versions.
Internal Stack Failure
Means that DOS has gotten completely confused. Turn off the computer and restart.
Invalid directory
Means that you entered the name of a directory that does not exist.
Invalid drive specification
If you get this message on a valid drive such as C:, it may mean that your hard disk has become corrupted. See DOS Mirror.
Invalid file name or file not found
You have probably used an invalid character in a DOS file name, or you have used wild cards when they are not applicable. For example, type *.* will produce this error, because you cannot Type more than one file at a time.
Invalid media type
DOS does not recognize the format of the drive being referenced. This means that the disk has been corrupted in some manner and is not readable. You will also get this message if you low-level formatted a new disk, performed the Fdisk procedure, but forgot to high-level format it with the Format command.
Invalid parameter
Means DOS does not understand the command line. It indicates that a switch is used incorrectly. If you're typing path names, be sure to use a backslash (), not a forward slash (/). The forward slash is used to enter parameters (see DOS switch and DOS abc's).
Non-system disk or disk error
Replace and press any key when ready
Usually means there's a non-bootable floppy in drive A. The computer looks for DOS on a floppy before it looks for DOS on the hard disk. If an ordinary floppy is in drive A at startup, it causes this error. Remove the disk and press any key.
Not ready reading drive X
Abort, Retry, Fail?
Means the drive door is left open, or the floppy disk is not in the drive. Either put the appropriate floppy disk in the drive or close the drive door (turn lever) and press R.
To switch to another drive, press F, and type in the drive letter you want to go back to when you get the "Current drive is no longer valid>" message. In DOS versions prior to 4.0, type I for Ignore rather than F for Fail.
Not ready writing device PRN
Abort, Retry, Fail?
Means the printer is turned off or unavailable. Press A to cancel, or turn the printer on and press R. You might also check the cable connection to the printer.
Packed file is corrupt
See DOS Loadfix.
Path not found
Means that you entered an invalid path name. See DOS Path.
Stack overflow
Means that DOS does not have enough room to handle hardware interrupts. Increase the number of stacks in the STACKS= command in the CONFIG.SYS file (see DOS Stacks).
You can also get this message when other things go haywire; for example, a bad expansion board or one that isn't seated properly in the slot can cause erratic signals eventually leading to this message.
System Halted
Means the computer could not continue due to a hardware or software problem. It can occur if a memory parity error is detected or if a peripheral board goes awry. A program bug can also cause this as well as a virus.
Testing memory, testing for viruses and removing peripheral boards one at a time are ways to isolate the problem.
Write protect error
Means that the floppy disk has been protected and data cannot be recorded on it. Either unprotect it or use another disk. See file protection.
End of DOS error messages
Access denied
The file you are deleting is protected or is in use by another application. See DOS Attrib.
Bad command or file name
Means that DOS does not understand the command you entered, or it cannot find the program you asked it to run.
Data error reading drive X
Means that an area of the disk is unreadable. Press R to retry. Most likely, you'll have to press A to stop (abort). If the data or program is critical and there's no backup, use a utility program to try to reconstruct the damaged area. See DOS Recover.
Duplicate file name or file not found
Means that you are referencing a file that does not exist or that you are renaming a file to a file name that already does exist.
It may also mean that the file you are renaming is being used by someone else on the network. The file must be closed by that user(s) in order for you to rename it.
Exception error 12
Means that DOS does not have enough room to handle hardware interrupts. Increase the number of stacks in the STACKS= command in the CONFIG.SYS file (see DOS Stacks).
File Not Found
Means DOS cannot locate the file you have specified. Use the Dir command to check its spelling. It may be also be in another directory.
General failure reading drive X
Abort, Retry, Fail?
Usually means that an unformatted floppy is being used. Press A to Abort, format the floppy and try again. You'll also get this if you try to read a high-density disk in a low-density drive. High-density disks require high-density drives.
Incorrect DOS Version
Means that the command you are using belongs to another version of DOS. Somehow an earlier or later version of a command is on your hard disk. Commands from one DOS version often do not work in other versions.
Internal Stack Failure
Means that DOS has gotten completely confused. Turn off the computer and restart.
Invalid directory
Means that you entered the name of a directory that does not exist.
Invalid drive specification
If you get this message on a valid drive such as C:, it may mean that your hard disk has become corrupted. See DOS Mirror.
Invalid file name or file not found
You have probably used an invalid character in a DOS file name, or you have used wild cards when they are not applicable. For example, type *.* will produce this error, because you cannot Type more than one file at a time.
Invalid media type
DOS does not recognize the format of the drive being referenced. This means that the disk has been corrupted in some manner and is not readable. You will also get this message if you low-level formatted a new disk, performed the Fdisk procedure, but forgot to high-level format it with the Format command.
Invalid parameter
Means DOS does not understand the command line. It indicates that a switch is used incorrectly. If you're typing path names, be sure to use a backslash (), not a forward slash (/). The forward slash is used to enter parameters (see DOS switch and DOS abc's).
Non-system disk or disk error
Replace and press any key when ready
Usually means there's a non-bootable floppy in drive A. The computer looks for DOS on a floppy before it looks for DOS on the hard disk. If an ordinary floppy is in drive A at startup, it causes this error. Remove the disk and press any key.
Not ready reading drive X
Abort, Retry, Fail?
Means the drive door is left open, or the floppy disk is not in the drive. Either put the appropriate floppy disk in the drive or close the drive door (turn lever) and press R.
To switch to another drive, press F, and type in the drive letter you want to go back to when you get the "Current drive is no longer valid>" message. In DOS versions prior to 4.0, type I for Ignore rather than F for Fail.
Not ready writing device PRN
Abort, Retry, Fail?
Means the printer is turned off or unavailable. Press A to cancel, or turn the printer on and press R. You might also check the cable connection to the printer.
Packed file is corrupt
See DOS Loadfix.
Path not found
Means that you entered an invalid path name. See DOS Path.
Stack overflow
Means that DOS does not have enough room to handle hardware interrupts. Increase the number of stacks in the STACKS= command in the CONFIG.SYS file (see DOS Stacks).
You can also get this message when other things go haywire; for example, a bad expansion board or one that isn't seated properly in the slot can cause erratic signals eventually leading to this message.
System Halted
Means the computer could not continue due to a hardware or software problem. It can occur if a memory parity error is detected or if a peripheral board goes awry. A program bug can also cause this as well as a virus.
Testing memory, testing for viruses and removing peripheral boards one at a time are ways to isolate the problem.
Write protect error
Means that the floppy disk has been protected and data cannot be recorded on it. Either unprotect it or use another disk. See file protection.
End of DOS error messages
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
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