WFWG: Problems when Windows Express Version 3.0 Run as Shell

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

The following article contains information on the use of Windows for Workgroups with third-party products or configurations that have not been tested and are not supported by Microsoft.

If the steps or procedures described in this article do not function properly, contact the manufacturer of the third-party product for more information or use a supported configuration.

SYMPTOMS

If you use hDC Windows Express 3.0 as the Windows shell with Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, the following errors may occur:

• The LOAD= and RUN= lines in the WIN.INI file may not run correctly.
• Closing Windows Express may not end the current Windows session.

CAUSE

Because of the differences between the shell logic used in Windows Express and Windows for Workgroups, Windows Express loads itself as a normal application without establishing a Windows shell. Because no shell has been established, the only way to end the Windows session is to restart (reboot) the computer.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use Program Manager as the Windows shell and do one of the following to run Windows Express:

• Use Windows Program Manager to Add an icon for Windows Express to the StartUp group.

  -or-

• Add EXPRESS to the RUN= line in your WIN.INI file.

MORE INFORMATION

When you use Windows Express version 3.0 as the Windows shell, it expects to be started before all other Windows applications. However, when you use this application with Windows for Workgroups, Windows Express cannot be started first because Windows for Workgroups starts two hidden applications (NETDDE.EXE and CLIPSRV.EXE) prior to loading Windows Express.

This feature is by design.

For additional information about Windows Express, contact hDC Computer Corporation.

hDC Windows Express 3.0 is manufactured by hDC Computer Corporation, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.