GP Fault with SETUP.SHH if [Windir] Path Exceeds 29 Characters

 Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q85312
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

In Windows operating system version 3.1, a general protection (GP) fault can occur when the Setup program switches to the graphical portion of the setup. This error can occur if the directory specified in the [windir] section exceeds 29 characters.

MORE INFORMATION

The Windows automated setup option allows you to write a script file for Setup. An example called SETUP.SHH is supplied with Windows 3.1. You may configure Setup to automatically install certain printers, applications, hardware, or other options.

The [windir] section in the SETUP.SHH file specifies the location to install the user's Windows files. Depending on the size of the entry in the [windir] section, one of many error messages may appear. If the string if greater than 32 characters, WINSETUP will cause a GP fault in CPWIN386.CPL, followed by a GP fault in USER.EXE, and then drop the user out to MS-DOS with the error message: 

   Standard Mode: Fault in MS-DOS Extender

Examples

The following is a valid entry for the [windir] section: 

   [windir]

   k:\sys\apps1\windows\stations

   (Note: The entry contains fewer than 29 characters.)
The following entry will cause the Setup program to fail: 

   [windir]

   k:\sys\apps\windows\stations\0

   (Note: The entry contains more than 29 characters.)

KBCategory: kbnetwork kbsetup kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: win31 gpf
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.1 3.11 AIF GPF

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Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
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