How to Preserve Custom Services File When Installing Network Components (254042)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95

This article was previously published under Q254042

SYMPTOMS

When you apply the Dial-Up Networking (DUN) 1.3 update to a Windows 95-based computer, the Services file is overwritten. The Services file is also overwritten when you reinstall network components such as protocols or network adapter drivers.

The Services file is located in the Windows folder. It is used to store network resource mapping information such as drives, printers, and ports. Network administrators may prefer to have a modified Services file preserved under all circumstances. This article describes how you can prevent the customized Services file from being overwritten during network component installation.

CAUSE

When you install network components such as DUN 1.3, a new copy of the Services file is extracted from the Windows cabinet file to the Windows folder, where it overwrites any existing modified Services file. This is the default behavior in Windows 95.

RESOLUTION

You can prevent your custom Services file from being overwritten when you install network components by modifying a line in the Nettrans.inf file at the installation source.

Use any text editor (such as Notepad) to edit the Nettrans.inf file. Locate the [MSTCP.CopyFiles.win] section in the file, and then modify the Services file entry in the Nettrans.inf file as follows:

services,,,16,

"16" is a flag that indicates that the file should not be overwritten if it already exists.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Make sure to modify the Nettrans.inf file at the installation source (typically a flat folder), not the copy of Nettrans.inf file that is located in the Windows\Inf folder. Any changes you make to the Nettrans.inf file in the Windows\Inf folder are overwritten from the installation source folder.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/28/2001
Keywords:kbDialUp kbenv kbnetwork kbprb KB254042