After Installing IntelliPoint: "Unable to Locate C:\MSINPUT" (123031)

SYMPTOMS

After you install the Microsoft IntelliPoint software, an error message similar to the following is displayed when you try to run a Windows-based application:

Unable to locate C:\MSINPUT

NOTE: Receiving this error typically does not affect the performance of the Windows-based application.

CAUSE

The Microsoft IntelliPoint Setup program modifies the mouse.drv= line in the SYSTEM.INI file to read as follows:

   mouse.drv=c:\msinput\msinput.drv

This line creates a problem for applications that read only a limited number of characters from the mouse.drv= line. Because they can no longer read the entire line, they attempt to locate a driver other than MSINPUT.DRV in the C:\MSINPUT directory and are unable to do so.

RESOLUTION

To prevent the error message from appearing, do the following:

Quit Windows, and then open the SYSTEM.INI file in MS-DOS Editor by typing the following at the MS-DOS command prompt:
edit c:\windows\system.ini
Modify the mouse.drv= line located in the [boot] section to read as follows:
mouse.drv=msinput.drv
Save the file and quit MS-DOS Editor.
Copy the MSINPUT.DRV file from the C:\MSINPUT directory to the C:\WINDOWS directory by typing the following command at the MS-DOS prompt:
copy c:\msinput\msinput.drv c:\windows
Restart Windows.

You should now be able to run the Windows-based application without receiving the error message.

MORE INFORMATION

The following applications are known to encounter this problem:

Aldus Photostyler

Aldus Photostyler can read only the first 20 characters from the mouse.drv= line. As a result, it returns the exact error message mentioned in the SYMPTOMS section of this article. The products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.