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):

  1. Open a DOS box (or a Command prompt box in Windows NT/2000/XP)
  2. Type the word "Set" (don't use the quotes though)
  3. 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 :
  1. You never actually set the variable !
  2. 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)
  3. 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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