Windows 3.0 build 55 is one of the only leaked beta builds of Windows 3.0. This is due to the fact that testers were under strict NDA, even so strict they were not allowed to say there even was a new version of Windows in development.
It was leaked on BA on March 3, 2014 by member The Distractor as a pre-installed folderdump. Attempts were made to recreate the installation disks, but the disks may not work properly in certain configurations. Best way to use this build is to install MS-DOS (any version from 3.31-6.22) and then copying the WINDOWS folder to the system partition. The system was configured with a Logitech mouse, which will not work in Virtual PC. This can be fixed by opening "SYSTEM.INI" and changing the line "mouse=lmouse.drv" to "mouse=mouse.drv", which will change the mouse to a generic Microsoft Serial Mouse/PS/2 compatible.
After the above change, the build will run fine in Virtual PC in Real and Standard Mode. 386 Enhanced mode only works using MS-DOS 3.x or PC-DOS 3.x.
Findings
Interesting About Boxes
- Write shows Version 3.0 Beta 1.55, confirming this to be a debug build as 1.x build numbers are generally used only in debug builds.
- Terminal shows Terminal 3.20, Beta-Release 01/02/90.
- Calculator shows Version 3.00.16. It is unknown, however if this refers to a Windows version or an executable version.
- Windows Setup shows WinSetup Version 3.00.137. Most likely this is an executable version.
- Swapfile has a hidden about box visible if you open it up in a hex editor, showing WinSpart Version 3.00.139. Most likely this is an executable version.
Build 3.00.14
WINOLDAP.MOD of this build has a version string of "3.00.14.20jan89", before the recent Windows 3.0 debug release 1.14 leak, which is from February 22, 1989.
Paintbrush Beta Warnings
Paintbrush contains the following warnings in this beta build of Windows 3.0:
Beta Warning Multiple instances of Paintbrush are disabled (beta release only) for your protection. This instance will be terminated. Beta Warning Paintbrush is disabled under real mode EMS systems (beta release only) for your protection. This instance will be terminated. Beta Warning Paintbrush does not deal with low memory situations well in this beta release. To avoid losing work, run Paintbrush under 286 or 386 protected mode. This is the only time that you will receive this warning. Beta Warning There is a known bug in Paintbrush that can cause the contents of overlapping windows to be placed in your drawing. For this reason it is not recommended to bring up other applications on top of the Paintbrush window. This is only a problem for the beta release. This is the only time that you will receive this warning.
Windows Help
This build is the first leaked build to include Windows Help. It has a version of 3.00.2000 although this is most likely an executable version. It is buggy though and will eventually crash with a Divide by Zero error.
