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STAC ELECTRONICS
TECHNICAL SUPPORT BULLETIN
NUMBER: 013
SUBJECT: DOS-MISC, BOOT-ERRORS
DATE: June 26, 1991
TIME: 4:20 PM
SOURCE: Tech Support, Engineering
SUPERCEDES/
SUPERCEDED BY:
RELEASE STATUS: Public
TITLE:
DOS "Cannot find command interpreter" and a message
incorrect DOS version
Bad or missing COMMAND.COM
OVERVIEW:
The command interpreter (usually COMMAND.COM) can be specified in
CONFIG.SYS (SHELL=...) or in AUTOEXEC.BAT (SET COMSPEC=...). It may be
invoked in both. If not specifically invoked, the default is
COMMAND.COM.
ISSUES/COMMENTS:
1) When DOS is unable to locate the specified command interpreter on
disk, it issues the message "Bad or missing command interpreter", and the
system halts.
2) STACKER's incremental installation copies COMMAND.COM (and/or whatever
interpreter is specified by SHELL=...)into the newly created volume, so
that it can be located even when drives are swapped. Free space
installation does not provide for this.
3) On systems where the DOS version has been changed or where a boot
diskette has been used, the "Incorrect DOS version" message may result
from a discrepancy between the COMMAND.COM files on the boot drive and on
the STACKER volume.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
1) Ensure there is agreement between the SHELL= and SET COMSPEC=
statements in CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT, respectively.
2) Ensure there is a copy of the command interpreter in the drive and
directory indicated. For example, if SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM, verify
that:
a) the \DOS directory is present on the boot drive (and swapped
STACKER volume, if applicable);
b) COMMAND.COM (or the command interpreter) is located in the
directory/ies.
3) Compare the file sizes, dates and times of COMMAND.COM wherever
present (root and \DOS directories).