WINFILE.INI with Hidden or System Attibute Causes GP Fault

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q86455
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

If the WINFILE.INI file is assigned the hidden or system attribute, the following error message is displayed when you run Windows 3.1: 

               Application Error
    WINFILE Caused a General Protection Fault
        in module USER.EXE at XXXX:XXXX

RESOLUTION

To correct this error, remove the hidden or system attribute from the WINFILE.INI file.

To display the current attributes of a file, change to the directory the file is in. Type the following command, then press ENTER: 

   attrib <filename>
To change the attributes of a file, change to the directory that the file is in. Use the following command, then press ENTER: 

   attrib [+r|-r] [+a|-a] [+s|-s] [+h|-h] [drive:][path][filename]

MORE INFORMATION

The File Manager (WINFILE.EXE) uses the WINFILE.INI file to store configuration information. If the WINFILE.INI does not exist, it is created by WINFILE.EXE when launched. The MS-DOS hidden and/or system attributes make the WINFILE.INI invisible to WINFILE.EXE. When WINFILE.EXE attempts to create a new WINFILE.INI file, MS-DOS generates a file creation error, because this file already exists. This error generates the GP fault message.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft MS-DOS User's Guide and Reference," version 5.0, page 368 "Microsoft Windows User's Guide," version 3.1, page 128

KBCategory: kbenv kbdisplay kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11 err msg gpf

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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