Ports Above LPT3 Must Be Added to the WIN.INI File (88535)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11
This article was previously published under Q88535

SUMMARY

For the ports LPT4 through LPT9 to be active and usable in Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, they must be manually added to the [Ports] section of the WIN.INI file.

NOTE: Some applications (particularly, MS-DOS-based applications) may not print using ports LPT4 through LPT9.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows for Workgroups supports the use of LPT4 through LPT9 for connecting to network printers, but you are unable to connect to them unless they are referenced in the [Ports] section of the WIN.INI file.

A default WIN.INI file only contains parallel port references up to LPT3. For the extra ports to be usable, they must be manually added to the [Ports] section of the WIN.INI file.

Adding Extra Ports

To add the extra ports, do the following:

  1. From the Accessories Group, start Notepad.
  2. From the File menu, choose Open.
  3. In the File Name box, type

    WIN.INI

    then choose the OK button.
  4. From the Search menu, choose Find.
  5. In the Find What box, type

    [PORTS]

    then choose the OK button.
  6. Use your arrow keys to move down the LPT3:= entry in the [PORTS] section.
  7. Press the END key, then press the ENTER key.
  8. On the new line, type LPT4:=, then press ENTER.
  9. Repeat step 8 for LPT5 through LPT9.
  10. From the File menu, choose Save.
  11. From the File menu, choose Exit.
All parallel ports through LPT9 are now available for use.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/13/2003
Keywords:KB88535
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.