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Code Error 800A0408 - Invalid Character

Troubleshooting Code 800A0408 - Invalid Character

Introduction to Code 800A0408

This error code, 800A0408 occurs when you execute a VBScript. A wild guess a problem with an apostrophe, possibly in a 'REM statement. Code Error 800A0408 - Invalid Character

The Symptoms You Get

The script does not execute as you had hoped. Instead you get a WSH message box like this picture:

The Cause of error 800A0408

Your VBScript contains an illegal character, often at the beginning of a line. It can happen if you copy the script from word, then paste into notepad. For example, to 'Rem out a line we need the apostrophe, which is ASCII character 39; however if you paste from word you may get ASCII 96 (Grave accent).

Note the clue Source: Microsoft VBScript compilation error, this means a syntax error in your script.

The Solutions

Check the punctuation marks in your VBScript, particularly look out for apostrophes and commas that do not display correctly. The reference to Line: 1 Char 1, means that the very first symbol that is probably wrong.

‡

Example 1 of error code 800A0408 - Invalid Character

Note: The error ‘Rem VBScript

It should be ' Rem VBScript

‘ Rem VBScript
Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Set WshNetwork = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Network")
Set AllDrives = WshNetwork.EnumNetworkDrives()

DriveLetter = "N:" 'must be capitalized
RemotePath = "\\alan\home"

AlreadyConnected = False
For i = 0 To AllDrives.Count - 1 Step 2
If AllDrives.Item(i) = DriveLetter Then AlreadyConnected = True
Next

If AlreadyConnected = False then
WShNetwork.MapNetworkDrive DriveLetter, RemotePath
WshShell.PopUp "Drive " & DriveLetter & " connected successfully."

Else
WShNetwork.RemoveNetworkDrive DriveLetter
WshShell.PopUp "Drive " & DriveLetter & " disconnected."
End if

Example 2 Code 800A0408 - Invalid Character

I include this screen shot just to emphasise that Char: number need not be one. Thus Char: 20, or what ever your char number is, becomes a big clue in tracing obscure characters that may have sneaked into your script.

Code 800A0408 - Invalid Character

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Do you need extra help?

For interpreting the WSH messages check Diagnose 800 errors.

For general advice try my 7 Troubleshooting techniques

Give something back?

Would you like to help others? If you have a good example of this error, then please email me, I will publish it with a credit to you:

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