Using Windows 3.0 Communications Drivers with Windows 3.1

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q82637
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

There are a number of Windows independent software vendor (ISV) applications and some hardware installation programs that install their own Windows communications drivers to replace the Windows-provided drivers. Most of these replacement drivers are Windows 3.0 compatible. To use them in Windows 3.1 386 enhanced mode, the following switch is required in the [386enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI: "commdrv30=true". These drivers should work in standard mode without any modifications.

MORE INFORMATION

If a Windows 3.0 communications driver has been installed and you try to access a communications port, Windows 3.1 displays a full-screen MS-DOS box warning you that a Windows 3.0 compatible communications driver is installed and to use the aforementioned switch. It is recommended that you use this switch and the Windows 3.0 compatible drivers only if the Windows 3.1 communications drivers fail to work.

Most replacement drivers typically replace three key device lines in the SYSTEM.INI file. Below is a sample listing of the relevant portions of SYSTEM.INI. If any of these device lines look different from what is listed below, it is a good indication that a replacement communication driver has been installed. 

   [boot]
   comm.drv=comm.drv

   [386Enh]
   device=*vcd
   device=*combuff
The following ISV applications and hardware installation programs are known to install Windows 3.0-compatible replacement communications drivers: 

   MicrophoneII v1.0 and 2.0

   FAXit all versions, but only if an external FAX/Modem is connected
   through the communications port

   TurboCom all versions. This is actually only a set of replacement
   communications device drivers.

   Hayes ESP/Dual Enhanced Serial Port installation program
The products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

KBCategory: kb3rdparty
KBSubcategory: win31 wincomm windrvr
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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