WG1001: Updated SERIAL.386 Driver for WFWG

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11

Microsoft has an Application Note, "WG1001: Updated SERIAL.386 Driver for Windows for Workgroups.

When you use Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 with serial communications software, you may experience the following problems:

• If you are using a Pentium-based machine with a 16550 UART chip, your system stops responding (hangs) if there is data in the chip when the serial communications application attempts to open the communications port.
• When you are using communications software, you may be able to make one connection after starting Windows for Workgroups, but any subsequent connections fail and may hang your system.

You can obtain this Application Note from the following sources:

• Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet
• The Internet (Microsoft anonymous ftp server)
• Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)
• Microsoft FastTips Technical Library
• Microsoft Product Support Services

THE TEXT OF WG1001

  Microsoft(R) Product Support Services Application Note (Text File)
   WG1001: UPDATED SERIAL.386 DRIVER FOR WINDOWS(TM) FOR WORKGROUPS

                                                   Revision Date: 9/96
                                                       1 Disk Included

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Introduction

When you use Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 with serial communications software, you may experience the following problems:

• If you are using a Pentium(TM)-based machine with a 16550 UART chip, your system stops responding (hangs) if there is data in the chip when the serial communications application attempts to open the communications port.

  A problem with the 16550 UART implementation causes the chip to become trapped in a mode in which data is always detected in its FIFO buffer.

• When you are using communications software, you may be able to make one connection after starting Windows for Workgroups, but any subsequent connections fail and may hang your system.

  This problem occurs when SERIAL.386 sends an extra NUL character through the port when the communications software calls the CloseComm application program interface (API) function. While this does not normally cause problems, your second connection may fail with some modems.

To install the updated SERIAL.386 file

1. Quit Windows for Workgroups.

2. Make a backup copy of the currently installed SERIAL.386 file by typing the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and then pressing ENTER

         ren <drive>:<path>\serial.386 serial.old
   

   where <drive>:<path> is the location of your Windows SYSTEM subdirectory.

   For example, if your Windows directory is called WINDOWS and is on drive C, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER:

         ren c:\windows\system\serial.386 serial.old
   

3. Insert the enclosed WG1001 disk in the appropriate floppy disk drive.

4. To copy the file to the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER

         copy <drive>:\serial.386 <destination>
   

   where <drive> is the floppy disk drive containing the WG1001 disk and <destination> is the drive and directory of your Windows SYSTEM subdirectory.

   For example, if the WG1001 disk is in drive A and your Windows directory is called WINDOWS and is on drive C, type the following at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER:

         copy a:\serial.386 c:\windows\system
   

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

TO OBTAIN THIS APPLICATION NOTE

You can find WG1001.EXE (size: 23600 bytes) 
                       , a self-extracting file, on the following

• Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet

        On the www.microsoft.com home page, click the Support icon.
        Click Knowledge Base, and select the product.
        Enter kbfile WG1001.EXE (size: 23600 bytes) 
                               , and click GO!
        Open the article, and click the button to download the file.
  
  

• Internet (anonymous FTP)

        ftp ftp.microsoft.com
        Change to the Softlib/Mslfiles folder.
        Get WG1001.EXE (size: 23600 bytes) 
  

• Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)

        Dial (425) 936-6735 to connect to MSDL
        Download WG1001.EXE (size: 23600 bytes) 
  

   ARTICLE-ID: Q119591
   TITLE     : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online
               Services