Windows Err Msg: Fatal Error -- Cannot Swap Windows

 Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q89961
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When you run Windows in standard mode on a network, you may receive the following message when trying to switch between applications: 

   Fatal Error - Cannot Swap Windows

CAUSE

This error occurs when multiple machines use the same directory for Windows temporary files. Because Windows uses standard filenames when it creates swap files, more than one swap file can have the same name and intermittent errors can occur.

RESOLUTION

To correct the problem, set the TEMP environment variable to a directory on the local hard drive. If you are using a diskless workstation, set the TEMP variable to a unique directory for each machine.

KBCategory: kbnetwork kb3rdparty kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11 3.00 3.00a Novell Banyan Vines
LANtastic LAN Manager LANMAN

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.