How To: Modifying WFWG for Use with Artisoft's LANtastic

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.1

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.

SUMMARY

This article contains information about modifying Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 for use with Artisoft's LANtastic network operating system. If the following procedures do not allow connectivity between Windows for Workgroups and LANtastic, call Artisoft Technical Support at (602) 670-7000.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft does not ensure the stability of Windows for Workgroups when running with Artisoft's LANtastic.

Artisoft has provided the following modifications so that you can use components of Windows for Workgroups with MS-DOS-based LANtastic versions 4.x and with LANtastic for Windows.

NOTE: If you make the following changes according to Artisoft's specifications, the Windows for Workgroups peer-to-peer and networking capabilities are disabled.

LANtastic provides its own networking functionality as if it were running with Windows 3.1, with added support for Mail and Schedule+. For the MS-DOS based versions of LANtastic to use any Windows for Workgroups components, a file called LANTNET.DRV is required. This file may be obtained from Artisoft's bulletin board service (BBS) at (602) 293-0065.

Windows for Workgroups can use all Artisoft's "AE" boards when the cards are set for the NE2000 mode. Additionally, the Intel EtherExpress 16-bit network interface card that ships with Windows for Workgroups is compatible with LANtastic/AI cards. It requires the driver EXP16LAN.EXE, which is available by calling Intel's BBS at (503) 645-6275. If you loaded Windows for Workgroups using the Intel EtherExpress adapter card, the low-level drivers from the CONFIG.SYS file must be removed. The current network card compatibility list on Artisoft's BBS should be checked for further information on other types of compatible adapters.

With a normal installation of Windows for Workgroups, a LANtastic network does not function at all. Windows for Workgroups has its own redirector (REDIR), server functions, and low-level drivers (which are incompatible with the LANtastic system).

Required Changes to SYSTEM.INI

To replace a Windows for Workgroups network with a LANtastic network, make the following changes to the SYSTEM.INI file.

1. In the [Boot] section, change

         network=wfwnet.drv
   

   to:

         network.drv=lantnet.drv
   

2. In the [386Enh] section, change

         NetHeapSize=20
   

   to:

         NetHeapSize=64
   

3. Add the following lines to the [386Enh] section:

         NetAsynchFallback=TRUE
         NetAsynchTimout=5.0
         PerVMFiles=0
   

4. Add the following lines to the [LANtastic] section:

         Network_IRQ=xx
   

   where xx is the appropriate IRQ setting for your machine.

Resulting Functionality

After you make these changes, normal LANtastic networking functionality is available, with the following additions:

   Mail
   Schedule+
   Network File Manager
   ClipBook Viewer

The LANtastic for Windows dynamic data exchange (DDE) features function; however, the following Windows for Workgroups network DDE programs do not work:

   Chat
   Hearts
   VSERVER.386
   NetWatcher
   WinMeter

Questions

Any questions concerning the conversion of Windows for Workgroups network should be directed to Artisoft Technical Support.

LANtastic and LANtastic for Windows are manufactured by Artisoft, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.