Novell Driver Change in Setup Clears WIN.INI "Load=" Line

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

If you are running Novell NetWare with Microsoft Windows version 3.1 and change the Novell network version in the Windows Setup program, the Windows Setup program will replace any programs listed on the Load= line of the WIN.INI file with NWPOPUP.EXE. The old entries on the Load= line will be lost unless you have made a backup of your WIN.INI file.

MORE INFORMATION

When you change network drivers, Setup reads the SETUP.INF file to determine which .INI file lines need to be updated. However, as outlined on page 104 of the "Microsoft Windows Resource Kit" version 3.1, there is no syntax in the SETUP.INF for adding values to existing .INI file entries; it only replaces existing values. Hence, the old entries on the Load= line are removed, and the new line is rewritten to display only NWPOPUP. This problem does not occur with other networks such as Microsoft LAN Manager because they rely on the network drivers themselves to add network pop-up utilities on the Load= line rather than relying on the Windows Setup program for these updates.

The Novell products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.