Cannot Find DOS Application when Executed from Windows 3.1

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q84354
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When you run Windows operating system version 3.1 in 386 enhanced mode, the following error may occur when you attempt to run a non-Windows-based application if the 386grabber= entry in the [Boot] section of the SYSTEM.INI file does not specify a grabber file, or is invalid 

   Cannot find <FILENAME.EXT> command (or one of its components).
   Check to ensure the path and filename are correct and that all required
   libraries are available.
where <FILENAME.EXT> is the executable for the MS-DOS-based application.

WORKAROUND

To correct the error, either run the MS-DOS maintenance mode of Windows 3.1 to reinstall the video driver, or add the correct grabber file to the 386grabber= line.

  • Edit the [Boot] section of the SYSTEM.INI to add a valid grabber file for the video driver that is installed, to the 386grabber= line.

    -or-

  • Reinstall the video driver through the MS-DOS maintenance mode of Windows 3.1 Setup. To do this:

    1. Exit Windows 3.1. 2. Change the directory to the Windows directory. 3. Type "setup" (without the quotation marks).

MORE INFORMATION

The 386grabber entry specifies the filename of the device driver (called a grabber) that makes a non-Windows application visible when using Windows in 386 enhanced mode.

KBCategory: kbtool kbdisplay kbprb kbenv
KBSubcategory: wfw win31 wfwg
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11 application execution error err msg
dos

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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