Standard Mode May Require Increased File Handles

 Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q82509
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1, file handles are shared in standard mode. This can have a dramatic impact on software products, such as database programs, that use a large number of file handles. The number of file handles should be increased to at least 50 (for example, FILES=50 in the CONFIG.SYS file).

A low number of file handles may result in only a limited number of applications being able to run at the same time, poor performance, or becoming locked in a DOS session.

MORE INFORMATION

For example, with FILES= set to a low number, from Program Manager, run an MS-DOS database program that requires a large number of file handles; the application's screen will briefly flash and then it will close again leaving a minimized application at the bottom of the screen. This application can be closed only by:

  1. Clicking its icon to bring up its control menu.

  2. Choosing Settings and then choosing the Terminate button.

This method will cause lost clusters to be left on the hard drive, and may cause other problems.

KBCategory: kbsetup kbenv
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11 font fields

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Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
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