Microsoft KB Archive/81284

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Windows Does Not Load With Intel 386 SnapIn

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Q81284

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a

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SUMMARY
Windows may encounter some problems when running on a computer system configured with an Intel 386 SnapIn. The following are some of the most common situations:


 * Windows returns to the command line after trying to load.

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 * The error message &quot;Cannot file or load specific file&quot; is received.

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 * Windows cannot be run in enhanced mode.

This information applies to Microsoft MS-DOS version 5.0 and Windows versions 3.0 and 3.0a.

MORE INFORMATION
If Windows is having a problem operating on a system equipped with an Intel SnapIn 386, check the following:

 Make sure Windows has been reinstalled after SnapIn 386 was added to the system. This makes sure the 386 specific files necessary for enhanced mode operation are copied to the hard drive. NOTE: This case alone is the most common cause for the error message &quot;Cannot file or load specific file.&quot; Add VirtualHDIRQ=off to the 386ENH section of the SYSTEM.INI file. This will enable certain hard disk controller interrupts to go through the ROM routine that handles those interrupts, instead of being controlled by Windows when running in enhanced mode.  If SMARTDRV.SYS is loading, add the parameter /b+ to the end of the SMARTDRV.SYS command line in the CONFIG.SYS file. The /b+ parameter forces the double buffering capability of the SMARTDRV.SYS disk cache to be installed. The line would look similar to the following example:      DEVICE=[drive:][path]\SMARTDRV.SYS 1024 512 /B+ Warning: It is also possible to use the /b- parameter, which disables the double buffering capabilities of SMARTDRV.SYS. However, if there is a Bus Master board present in the system and the /b- parameter is used, Data corruption may occur.   Check for memory conflicts. If there are expansion boards in the system that occupy memory address space (network boards, emulation boards, and so on), add an EMMEXCLUDE= statement to the 386ENH section of the SYSTEM.INI file. Exclude the range to cover the memory address of the expansion board. The line would look similar to the following example:      EMMEXCLUDE=A000-EFFF 

NOTE: On an Intel SnapIn 386 equipped system running MS-DOS 5.0, SMARTDRV.SYS looks at the system ID byte and sees a 286. It then assumes that Windows cannot be run in enhanced mode. Because SnapIn 386 allows these systems to run in 386 enhanced mode, you must make the adjustments above to ensure stable operation.

SnapIn 386 is manufactured by Intel, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.