FORMAT.COM Cannot Be Directly Run with Parameters

 Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q58242
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a

SYMPTOMS

If you create a PIF file that runs the MS-DOS version 3.x FORMAT.COM utility; the PIF may have a question mark in the Parameters field. When you run the PIF, enter a: or b: as the parameter, and then choose the OK button, FORMAT.COM will start and then print the following error message: 

   Drive letter must be specified
FORMAT.COM then exits without doing anything.

This PIF file works properly with Windows/386 Versions 2.x.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do not run FORMAT.COM directly; instead, run FORMAT.COM from the MS-DOS command prompt, or run FORMAT.COM from the file manager under the Disk Menu.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem with Windows version 3.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.

This problem does not occur with MS-DOS version 4.0 or 4.01.

KBCategory: kbusage
KBSubcategory: win30
Additional reference words: 3.00 3.00a

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Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
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