Windows Err Msg: Cannot Connect Printers... (76531)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q76531

SYMPTOMS

When you choose the Printers icon from the Control Panel in Windows, you may receive the error message:
Cannot connect printers because the [ports] section of the WIN.INI file is missing; Choose cancel and edit the WIN.INI file or choose OK to continue.

CAUSE

This error message may be caused by one of the following:
  • The [ports] section of the WIN.INI file is missing. If this is the case, make sure you have a section in the WIN.INI file, as follows: 
          [Ports]
      LPT1:=
      LPT2:=
      LPT3:=
      COM1:=9600,n,8,1
      COM2:=9600,n,8,1
      COM3:=9600,n,8,1
      COM4:=9600,n,8,1
      EPT:=
      FILE:=
      LPT1.OS2=
      LPT2.OS2=
  • The WIN.INI file is corrupted. In this case, if you have a good backup copy of WIN.INI, copy this file into your Windows directory. If you don't have a good backup copy, expand the file WIN.SRC from the original Microsoft Windows disks to the Windows directory. Use the following command:

    c:\windows\expand a:win.src c:\windows\win.ini

    NOTE: Renaming the WIN.INI file does not solve the problem. The [ports] section will still be missing.
  • Microsoft Windows cannot find the WIN.INI file, or does not recognize it. You need to reinstall Windows to create a new WIN.INI.

    If Windows is on a network, you should install Microsoft Windows on your local hard drive. This eliminates any problems that might arise through the "share" and "user" directories.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB76531
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