MS-DOS Apps Report Sharing Violation When Using CSNW

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51

SYMPTOMS

When you run an MS-DOS application that accesses data on a NetWare server through Client Services for NetWare (CSNW), you get an error mesage reporting a sharing violation. If you run the same application on a client running Novell's VLMs, it works correctly. It will also work correctly from Windows NT if the data being accessed is moved to a Windows NT server.

CAUSE

When an MS-DOS application attempts to open a file using an MS-DOS compatibility open, CSNW will look to see if the open is for READ or not. If the open is for READ, CSNW sets the sharing on the file to SHARE DENY WRITE. If the file is being opened for anything other than READ (for example, WRITE), CSNW will set the sharing on the file to EXCLUSIVE ACCESS. Therefore, CSNW will only support a file being opened more than once through an MS-DOS compatibility open if all instances of the open are for read-only.

RESOLUTION

This is by design.

STATUS

NetWare is manufactured by Novell, Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product s performance or reliability.