Installing Windows 95 Printer Drivers on Windows NT 4.0 Asks for Wrong Disk (174333)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0
  • Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0a
  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q174333

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:.
To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.

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: 154291
Title: Installing Cross Platform Print Drivers in Windows NT 4.0
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/23/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbprint KB174333
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