# Problem with 'gem' command

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/problem-with-gem-command/154938>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [December 5, 2008, 11:05am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/problem-with-gem-command/154938 "2008-12-05T11:05:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Martyna](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Martyna](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Martyna)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 11:05am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/problem-with-gem-command/154938/1 "2008-12-05T11:05:29Z")

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Hi  
I have a problem with ‘gem’ command. When I try to use it (i.e. ‘gem  
install mongrel’) I got the following message:

The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.

I thought that this is because of proxy. I set HTTP\_PROXY and it  
helped, but only until the restart of my computer ☹  
I switched off my firewall. It also didn’t help.

Does anyone have any idea how to solve this problem? I really need to  
install some gems to make my project work.

My configuration:

Windows XP Pro  
ruby 1.8.6 (but I tried also other versions)  
firewall : Symantec Endpoint Protection  
gems: 1.3.1 (but I tried also other versions)

Cheers  
Martyna

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Martyna](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Martyna](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Martyna)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/problem-with-gem-command/154938/2 "2008-12-05T19:35:57Z")

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On Dec 5, 5:02 am, Martyna [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> Does anyone have any idea how to solve this problem? I really need to  
> Martyna  
> Can you provide more of the output of executing the command from the  
> command prompt?

Also, please try this in the command prompt:

gem install mongrel --debug

And create a pastie of the output.

Regards,