Microsoft KB Archive/90980

= FastTips: Using Third-Party Utilities =

ID: Q90980

3.10 WINDOWS kb3rdparty kbfasttip kbfile

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY
This article contains questions and answers about using third-party utilities.

MORE INFORMATION
The following information applies to Microsoft Windows(TM) for Workgroups version 3.1.

1. Q. Is Microsoft Windows for Workgroups compatible with utilities produced by other software companies (for example, PC     Tools(TM) Backup and Norton Desktop for Windows)?

A. Windows for Workgroups is compatible with most popular third- party applications. However, as discussed in the Setup section of FastTips, Windows for Workgroups should be installed in a     newly created directory if you experience problems with updating your current Windows installation. Third-party drivers, font software, and desktop shells should then be reinstalled in the new directory location of Windows for Workgroups. Third-party utilities that are known to adversely affect the Windows for Workgroups Setup program are Norton Desktop for Windows, PC     Tools Backup version 7.1, and disk-compression software.

2. Q. Can I use Norton Desktop for Windows with Microsoft Windows for Workgroups?

A. Before you upgrade to Windows for Workgroups from Microsoft Windows versions 3.x, disable the Norton Desktop shell to avoid functionality conflicts with Norton Desktop for Windows. Disabling Norton Desktop includes replacing the line &quot;shell=ndw.exe&quot; (without the quotation marks) with &quot;shell=progman.exe&quot; (without the quotation marks)in the SYSTEM.INI file and removing all other Norton Desktop references in both the SYSTEM.INI and WIN.INI files. After you successfully install Windows for Workgroups, you can reinstall Norton Desktop for Windows version 2.0 or later.

When you use Norton Desktop for Windows, you cannot disconnect a     network drive using the Desktop's Disk menu. You must use File Manager's Disk menu to disconnect a network drive. Norton Desktop for Windows lacks the functionality to share directories with other workstations in your workgroup. At this time, only the Windows for Workgroups File Manager Disk menu can provide the user interface and functionality to share directories.

3. Q. I use a disk-compression utility to compress my hard drive. What steps should I take to install and use Microsoft Windows for Workgroups?

A. When you install Windows for Workgroups to a drive that has been compressed with a disk-compression utility, such as Stacker(TM), some Windows for Workgroup files are copied to the root of the boot drive. These files include the network card and protocol device drivers, PROTMAN.DOS, WORKGROUP.SYS, and HIMEM.SYS. The network device statements should be loaded after the disk- compression device statements in the CONFIG.SYS file.

4. Q. When I exit PC Tools Backup, Windows stops responding and hangs. How can I correct this problem?

A. If Windows hangs after you exit PC Tools Backup, use the following five steps:

1. Open the SYSTEM.INI file in an ASCII text editor such as        Microsoft Windows Notepad.

2. In the [386enh] section, search for the line &quot;dmabuffersize=&quot; (without the quotation marks). If this line exists, increase its value. If it does not, add the line &quot;dmabuffersize=64&quot; (without the quotation marks).

3. Check for the line &quot;device=*vdmad&quot; (without the quotation        marks). If this line exists, replace it with &quot;device=vdmad.386&quot; (without the quotation marks).

4. Save the SYSTEM.INI file.

5. Check the date of the file VDMAD.386. This file should be        located in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory and be dated October 1992. If VDMAD.386 is located in the WINDOWS directory, rename or delete it, and expand the VDMAD.386 file to the WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory.

After carrying out these steps, if the PC Tools Backup utility continues to cause Windows to hang, please contact the manufacturer (Central Point Software, Inc.) directly. KBCategory: kb3rdparty kbfasttip kbfile KBSubcategory: wfw Additional reference words: 3.10 ivrfax fast tips 3rdparty wfwg AWG31

Keywords         : wfwg Version          : 3.10 Platform         : WINDOWS Last Reviewed: June 28, 1998