claudetools/projects/dataforth-dos/documentation/UPDATE_BAT_FIX_2026-01-20.md

UPDATE.BAT Fix - XCOPY Parameter Error

Date: 2026-01-20 Version: 2.0 → 2.1 Issue: "Invalid number of parameters" error during backup Severity: HIGH - Prevents all backups from completing

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Problem Description

When running UPDATE.BAT on DOS 6.22 machines, the backup fails immediately with:

Starting backup...
This may take several minutes depending on file count.

Invalid number of parameters
        0 File(s) copied

[ERROR] Backup initialization failed

Possible causes:
- Insufficient memory
- Invalid path
- Target drive not accessible

Affected Machine: TS-4R (and potentially all DOS machines)

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Root Cause

Line 123 of UPDATE.BAT v2.0:

XCOPY C:\*.* T:\%MACHINE%\BACKUP /S /E /Y /D /H /K /C

The /D switch in DOS 6.22 requires a date parameter in format /D:mm-dd-yy.

DOS 6.22 XCOPY Syntax:

• /D alone is INVALID
• /D:01-20-26 is VALID (copy files modified on or after Jan 20, 2026)

Modern XCOPY (Windows 95+):

• /D alone is VALID (copy only newer files based on file timestamp comparison)

The version 2.0 UPDATE.BAT was written with modern XCOPY syntax, not DOS 6.22 syntax.

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The Fix

Removed invalid /D flag from XCOPY command:

XCOPY C:\*.* T:\%MACHINE%\BACKUP\ /S /E /Y /H /K /C

Changes:

1. Removed /D flag (requires date parameter in DOS 6.22)
2. Added trailing backslash to destination path for clarity
3. Removed incomplete comment line about /Q (quiet mode - not available in DOS 6.22)
4. Added documentation notes explaining DOS 6.22 limitations

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Testing Required

Before full rollout, test on TS-4R:

1. Copy fixed UPDATE.BAT to AD2:

   Copy-Item D:\ClaudeTools\UPDATE.BAT \\192.168.0.6\C$\Shares\test\COMMON\ProdSW\
   

2. Wait 15 minutes for AD2→NAS sync

3. On TS-4R, run:

   T:
   CD \COMMON\ProdSW
   XCOPY UPDATE.BAT C:\BAT\ /Y
   C:
   CD \BAT
   UPDATE
   

4. Verify backup completes successfully

5. Check T:\TS-4R\BACKUP\ for copied files

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Deployment Plan

Pilot: TS-4R (already experiencing issue) Full Rollout: All ~30 DOS machines after successful pilot

Deployment Method:

1. Copy UPDATE.BAT v2.1 to AD2: C:\Shares\test\COMMON\ProdSW\
2. AD2→NAS sync happens automatically (every 15 minutes)
3. Machines will get update on next NWTOC run or manual update

Alternative - Immediate Deployment: Users can manually update by running:

C:
CD \BAT
XCOPY T:\COMMON\ProdSW\UPDATE.BAT C:\BAT\ /Y

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DOS 6.22 Compatibility Notes

XCOPY Switches NOT Available in DOS 6.22:

• /Q - Quiet mode (added in Windows 95)
• /D - Copy only newer (requires /D:mm-dd-yy in DOS 6.22)
• /EXCLUDE:file - Exclusion lists (added in Windows NT)

Other DOS 6.22 Limitations:

• No IF /I (case-insensitive compare)
• No FOR /F loops
• No %COMPUTERNAME% variable
• No PUSHD/POPD commands
• Maximum environment variable size: 256 bytes

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Files Changed

• D:\ClaudeTools\UPDATE.BAT - Version 2.0 → 2.1
  • Line 113-123: Removed /D flag from XCOPY
  • Line 9-10: Updated version and date
  • Added DOS 6.22 compatibility notes in comments

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Related Issues

Previous DOS Compatibility Fixes (2026-01-19):

1. CTONW.BAT v1.0 → v1.1 - Fixed missing /S flag for subdirectories
2. CTONW.BAT v1.1 → v1.2 - Fixed test data routing (ProdSW vs LOGS)
3. DEPLOY.BAT v1.0 → v2.0 - Complete DOS 6.22 overhaul

This Fix (2026-01-20): 4. UPDATE.BAT v2.0 → v2.1 - Fixed /D parameter error

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Success Criteria

Backup is successful when:

• No "Invalid number of parameters" error
• Files are copied (> 0 files copied)
• "[OK] Backup completed successfully" message appears
• Files visible in T:%MACHINE%\BACKUP\

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Rollback Plan

If UPDATE.BAT v2.1 fails, revert to manual backup method:

XCOPY C:\*.* T:\TS-4R\BACKUP\ /S /E /Y /H /K /C

Or use previous version (if it was working):

XCOPY C:\*.* T:\TS-4R\BACKUP\ /S /E /Y /H /K

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Status: Ready for deployment to AD2 Next Step: Copy to AD2 and test on TS-4R