Installing Win95 Print Drivers on WinNT 4.0 Asks for Wrong Disk

 Last reviewed: January 9, 1998
Article ID: Q174333
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When sharing a printer on a computer running Windows NT 4.0 Server or Workstation with Windows 95 clients where the Windows 95 drivers are installed on the server, the wizard prompts you with the following message: 

   Please insert the floppy disk labeled 'Windows 95' into drive A:
   and then click OK.
This message is misleading because, after inserting a Windows 95 floppy disk or CD-ROM and clicking OK, you receive the error message: 

   Alternate Drivers Cannot Be Installed.

CAUSE

The Windows 95 files on floppy disks and CD-ROMs are cabinet files with .cab extensions. Windows NT does not search the contents of the cabinet files for the necessary printer driver files, such as .inf, .ini, .dll, or .drv.

RESOLUTION

Windows NT will not be changed to expand Windows 95 cabinet files during printer installation; however, there is now an updated version of Ntprint.dll, which provides a better description of the actual disk that is needed. After applying this version of Ntprint.dll, when you install the Window 95 printer drivers, you will be prompted for the following message: 

   Please insert the disk labeled "Windows 95 Flat share" into drive A:.
This fix should have the following timestamp: 

   07/08/97  05:47p                26,896 Ntprint.dll (Intel)
   07/08/97  04:47p                47,376 Ntprint.dll (Alpha)

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information on installing Windows 95 print drivers on Windows NT, please refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: 

   Article ID: Q154291
   Title: Installing Cross Platform Print Drivers in Windows NT 4.0

Keywords          : kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00 ntprint NTSrvWkst kbprint
Version           : WinNT:4.0
Platform          : winnt
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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Last reviewed: January 9, 1998
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