Problems with Environment Variables
If you have already set the desired environment variable as described
here and the program still gives an error message,
then consider carefully what that message means.
Environment variable is not set
Environment variable set to non-existent directory
Environment variable is not properly set
Environment variable is not set
If the error message states that the environment variable is not set,
IT MEANS PRECISELY THAT ! The most likely reason is that your spelling
of the variable name is WRONG. To check which environment variables are
set, do the following (works for all versions of Windows):
- Open a DOS box (or a Command prompt box in Windows NT/2000/XP)
- Type the word "Set" (don't use the quotes though)
- This will print out all the currently set environment variables.
Look in this list carefully. If the variable name is misspelt,
then set it again with the
correct spelling (see here).
If the name is missing from the list, the ONLY possibilities are :
- You never actually set the variable !
- For Window 95 users (and possibly Windows 98/ME)
you have run out of environment variable space. The default amount of space
is ridiculously small, and if you have set several environment variables, this is
a distinct possibility. Do the following to increase this :
- add the following line to the CONFIG.SYS file in the root directory
SHELL=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM /P /E:4096
- add the following line to the SYSTEM.INI file (in c:\windows) under the
heading [NonWindowsApp]
CommandEnvSize=2424
- reboot your computer (Windows ME users need to run MSCONFIG instead)
- For Windows NT/2000/XP users, the variables have not been set for the
currently logged user. Please reset them as system variables or make sure each user
can access them (see here).
Environment variable set to non-existent directory
For environment variables (like WINGXDIR) which point to a directory, it
is vital that the directory(folder) actually exists. Again, check spelling carefully as
described above.
Environment variable is not properly set
For environment variables (like PGFONT) which point to a file, it
is vital that the file actually exists. Again, check spelling carefully as
described above, and check also that the file is actually located where you think
it is.
Louis J. Farrugia
Department of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building,
University Of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ
Telephone +44 (0)141 330 5137
FAX +44 (0)141 330 4888
E-mail
louis@chem.gla.ac.uk
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