Windows Millennium Edition General.txt File Contents (262921)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q262921 SUMMARY
This article contains a copy of the information that is contained in the General.txt file included with Windows Millennium Edition (Me). The General.txt file provides complementary or late-breaking information on a wide variety of topics to supplement the Windows Me documentation.
Setup copies the General.txt file to the Windows folder. It is useful to review this information before you install Windows Me.
MORE INFORMATION
-------------------------------------------------
Microsoft Windows Millennium
README for General Information
June 2000
-------------------------------------------------
(c) Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1999
This document provides complementary or late-breaking
information to supplement the Microsoft Windows Millennium
(Windows Me) documentation.
------------------------
HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT
------------------------
To view General.txt on-screen in Notepad, maximize
the Notepad window.
To print General.txt, open it in Notepad or another
word processor, and then on the File menu, click Print.
--------
CONTENTS
--------
STARTUP PROBLEMS
APPLETS
LARGE DISK SUPPORT (FAT32)
DRIVERS
PAN-EUROPEAN - KNOWN ISSUES
USING ACCESSIBILITY SHORTCUTS IN HELP
LOGITECH WHEEL MOUSE
-----------------------------
STARTUP PROBLEMS
=================
System Detection Error - BIOS Could Lead to Data Loss
-----------------------------------------------------
If your computer displays the following message:
System Detection
Your computer uses a BIOS that could lead
to data loss if you run Windows Me.
Please update the BIOS before installing
Windows Me. For more information,
contact your computer manufacturer.
You can still install Windows Me by
following the procedure below.
NOTE: Microsoft takes no responsibility for any damage
that may result from this operation.
1. Copy the contents of the Windows Me
CD-ROM to your hard disk.
2. At the Command prompt, type:
extract precopy2.cab msdet.inf
3. At the command prompt, type:
edit msdet.inf
4. On the Search menu, select Find.
5. In the Find What box, type:
[BadDSBios]
6. Select Find Now.
7. Insert a semicolon before each of the two
lines following the [BadDSBios] heading.
8. Save your changes, and then run Setup again.
APPLETS
========
HyperTerminal: Known Problems and General Information
-----------------------------------------------------
- When it receives a file, HyperTerminal cannot determine
whether the disk is full.
- In File Transfer, HyperTerminal does not send files
with attributes marked as System or Hidden.
ScanDisk: Special Handling of Characters from Different
Code Pages
-------------------------------------------------------
- If you have created or named files or folders while
using different code pages, ScanDisk may report errors
about these files or the folders they reside in. Open
the ScanDisk Advanced dialog box and make sure the check
box for Check files for invalid file names is cleared.
Turning off this option may inhibit the program's ability
to detect or repair seriously damaged folders.
LARGE DISK SUPPORT (FAT32)
==========================
Introduction
------------
Windows Me includes support for an enhanced
version of the FAT file system, FAT32, that supports
drives up to 2 terabytes (approximately 2,000 GB). It
also allocates space on the drive in smaller units
(called clusters) than did earlier versions of FAT,
resulting in more efficient use of space on the drive.
This section addresses some of the known issues
with FAT32 and answers some of the questions you
might have.
Compatibility
-------------
FAT32 is designed to be fully compatible with
existing computers and programs designed to run
on earlier versions of MS-DOS and Windows. However,
some older disk utilities may need to be updated
in order to work with FAT32 drives. The system tools
contained with Windows Me, including
ScanDisk, Backup, and Disk Defragmenter, fully support
FAT32 drives. FAT32 drives cannot be compressed by
using DriveSpace, however.
In addition, operating systems other than
Windows 95 version 4.00.950 B, Windows 98, or
Windows 2000 are unable to access information
stored on FAT32 drives. This includes the original
version of Windows 95, Windows NT version 4.0 and
earlier, and previous versions of MS-DOS and Windows.
Windows Me does support accessing FAT32
drives in MS-DOS mode. In addition, FAT32 drives can be
shared over a network and accessed by remote computers in
the same way as older-style FAT drives, even if the
remote computers don't support FAT32.
Known Problems
--------------
Running Interlink on a FAT32 drive
----------------------------------
If you are running Interlink as a server on a
FAT32 drive, all connections and inquiries (such
as DIR) result in the following error message:
"File allocations table bad, Drive X." Also, the
Interlink "manager" shows the incorrect total
drive size.
This problem does not occur on FAT16 drives. To
gain access to your FAT32 server, start your
computer in protect mode with Interlink running.
Incorrect Free Disk Space Reported by Programs
----------------------------------------------
Programs not developed specifically for Windows Me
might be unable to report free space accurately on
large hard disks that use FAT32. Most older
applications cannot display free or total disk
space of more than 2 GB. These older programs will
typically only report up to approximately 2 GB free,
when more disk space is available. When the free
disk space drops below 2 GB free, these programs
will report the free space correctly.
Ontrack Systems Disk Manager
----------------------------
If you use the Ontrack Systems Disk Manager
program on a computer with a FAT32 drive, there
might be a long pause when you start your computer.
It is also possible that the drive will be set to
run in compatibility mode. If you use version 7.0x,
you can avoid this pause by using the /L=0 option
with Disk Manager:
1. Start your computer, and then run Disk Manager.
2. Click Maintenance, and then click Update
Dynamic Drive Overlay.
3. Add /L=0 to any other options that are
already present.
4. Save the settings, and then restart your computer.
If you are running an earlier version of Disk
Manager and you want to use FAT32, you should
update to version 7.04 or later and use the /L=0
switch.
V Communications System Commander
---------------------------------
Versions 2.28 and earlier of V Communications
System Commander are incompatible with FAT32.
If your primary hard disk uses FAT32 exclusively,
obtain version 3 or later of System Commander.
Iomega Jaz Tools May Be Incompatible with FAT32
-----------------------------------------------
If you format an Iomega Jaz disk using FAT32,
you may need to obtain updated versions of the
Jaz tools. Older versions of the tools do not
support FAT32 Jaz disks. As a result, the eject,
write-protection, and password-protection options
will be disabled. Updated versions of these tools
that are compatible with FAT32 are available from
Iomega. They are also available for download from
various online services.
Questions and Answers
---------------------
How do I tell if a drive is a FAT32 drive?
------------------------------------------
In My Computer, right-click the icon that
represents your hard disk, and then click
Properties. On the General tab, your type
of drive is shown in the upper part of the
tab, by the label File system.
If you have a FAT 32 drive, File system: FAT32
is displayed. If you have a FAT 16 drive,
File system: FAT is displayed.
How do I enable FAT32?
----------------------
If you obtained this version of Windows Me
with a new computer system, it may already be
using the FAT32 disk format. If not, or if
you add a new hard disk to your computer and
you want to use the FAT32 file system, use the
FDISK tool to create the disk partition as FAT32. (Note:
Backup any data on the drive before using the FDISK
tool to remove an existing partitions as all data currently
on the drive will be lost.) To do this, when you are prompted
to enable large disk support, choose Yes and any partition
created will be marked as FAT32.
Is FAT32 faster than earlier versions of FAT?
---------------------------------------------
FAT32, in conjunction with Memory Manager
improvements and the application launch time
feature of Disk Defragmenter can significantly
improve your system performance.
However, FAT32 drives may be significantly slower
on disk-intensive operations when your computer
is running in MS-DOS mode or when you are running
Windows Me in safe mode. If you use
MS-DOS mode with FAT32 drives, you may find that
performance is improved significantly if you load
the Smart Drive disk-caching program.
DRIVERS
=======
EZ-Drive
--------
Windows Me supports EZ-Drive
through the protected-mode IDE driver.
Netgear FA310TX 4.02 Driver
--------------------
Netgear FA310TX 4.02 drivers are provided on the CD in the following
location:
x:\drivers\net\netgear (where x: is your CD-rom drive letter)
This driver will resolve certain shutdown issues. Please read the
Netgear.txt provided in this directory on how to install the drivers.
PAN-EUROPEAN: KNOWN ISSUES
==========================
There are certain characters used within the Cyrillic
alphabet that cause problems when you use them in
file names. This problem is a translation issue and
is only seen in an MS-DOS window or within any process
that relies on MS-DOS. These characters are:
Small and Capital Belarussian/Ukrainian I
(Alt codes 179, 178)
Small Cyrillic letter JE (Alt code 188)
Small and Capital Cyrillic LJE (Alt codes 154, 138)
Small and Capital Cyrillic NJE (Alt codes 156, 140)
Small and Capital Cyrillic DZHE (Alt codes 159, 143)
Small and Capital Cyrillic DZE (Alt codes 190, 189)
Small and Capital Cyrillic GHE with Upturn
(Alt codes 180, 165)
If you save a file in a Windows application with a file
name that contains one of these characters, the file name
contains underline (_) characters instead of the one
you typed.
File names using these characters also cause problems
under the following conditions and should be avoided:
· When you try to copy or rename the file name in an
MS-DOS window using these characters.
· When you use these characters in a file name saved
on a network drive.
· When these characters are used in file names to
restore previously backed up images that are located
on a network drive.
This problem is intentionally there, due to the
differences between the Windows Code Page and the
OEM Code Page. This problem previously existed in
Windows 95 and is mentioned here for clarification
purposes.
Czech Microsoft Excel 97
------------------------
Czech Microsoft Excel 97 will not run after you upgrade
to Windows Me, and will terminate with a
Lexikon (C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\XL8805.DLL)
chybi nebo je poskozen message.
>>> To run the Czech Microsoft Excel 97:
1. Click Start, point to Programs, and then
click Windows Explorer.
2. Navigate to the
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE directory.
3. Select the file XL8405.DLL and, on the Edit menu,
click Copy.
4. On the Edit menu, click Paste.
5. On the File menu, click Rename, type XL8805.DLL
and then press ENTER.
6. Close Windows Explorer.
When you start the Czech version of Microsoft
Excel 97, it should function correctly.
Extended (NLS) Character Support in
Hardware Profiles
-----------------------------------
Multiple hardware profiles can be loaded on a Windows
Millennium system using the Hardware Profile tab
in the System Properties dialog box. When you name the
profiles, do not use extended characters. Otherwise,
the text appears in the wrong font when the system
starts. Then you won't be able to read the Profile Name
in the Configuration Selection list during start up.
For example, the messages you see for the
Configuration Selection list would look similar
to those shown below.
Select A Hardware Configuration...
Windows was unable to determine your current Hardware
Configuration. Select one from the list.
<Text displayed in wrong font if extended
characters used>
<Okay>
Although you will be unable to read the text, you
can select the appropriate option from the list and the
system will continue if you know which choice you want.
This problem is intentionally there, due to the
differences between the Windows Code Page and the
OEM Code Page. This problem previously existed in
Windows 95 and in Windows 98 and is mentioned here for
clarification purposes.
NOTE: Review the Intl.txt file on your Windows Millennium
CD for more information about Pan-European regional settings.
USING ACCESSIBILITY SHORTCUTS IN HELP
=====================================
The following keyboard shortcuts can be used for
navigation, selection, and other functions in
Windows Me online Help. Some of these
keyboard shortcuts are also applicable throughout
Windows Me. For more information about using Windows me
accessibility features, visit the
Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/enable
ALT+SPACEBAR
------------
Use this shortcut to display the System menu. Use
the arrow keys to choose a command, and then press
ENTER.
ALT+F4
------
Use this shortcut to close Help.
ALT+TAB
-------
Use this shortcut to switch between Windows Help and
other open windows.
CTRL+C
------
Use this shortcut to copy selected text so that you
can paste it in another file using a text editor
such as Notepad.
CTRL+V
------
Use this shortcut to paste copied text into a file
by using a text editor such as Notepad.
CTRL+A
------
Use this shortcut to highlight the text in the
right pane.
SHIFT+F10
---------
Use this shortcut to display the shortcut menu on
the Windows desktop.
TAB
---
Use this shortcut to move to topics in the table
of contents, index, search results, and all links
in the displayed topic.
BACKSPACE
---------
Toggles the Back button.
ESC
---
Use this shortcut to close dialog boxes and menus
throughout Windows Me.
ENTER
-----
Use this shortcut throughout Windows Me
to execute the requested command, such as
opening a topic or displaying a list of topics.
UP ARROW/PAGE UP
--------
Use this shortcut to move up one topic in the table
of contents, index, and search list if slider bar is available.
DOWN ARROW/PAGE DOWN
----------
Use this shortcut to move down one topic in the
table of contents, index, and search list if slider bar is available.
Microsoft Magnifier
-------------------
Microsoft Magnifier is intended to provide a minimum
level of functionality for users with slight visual
impairments. Most users with visual impairments will
need a magnification utility program with higher
functionality for daily use. For a list of Windows-based
magnification utilities, visit the following Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/enable
Networks Not Supported in Windows Me
---------------------------------------------------
The following network systems are not supported in
Windows Me. These networks may work after
you upgrade to Windows Me, but Microsoft does
not guarantee that they will work correctly.
- Vines16: All versions earlier than 7.1
- Netware: Using Client for Microsoft Networks
connecting to server versions earlier than 3.11.
- Microsoft Netware Directory Services or NDS for connecting to
Non-Bindery Novell 4.x servers
- Client32: It is recommended that you use Client32
versions later than 2.2.
- Client 32 for DOS/Win31: All versions.
- VLM/NetX: Monolithic drivers (ipx.com)
- Lantastic16: All versions
- Lantastic32: All versions earlier than 7.0
- Pathworks16: Not supported
- Pathworks32: It is recommended that you use
Lantastic 7.0 or later.
- Backup Agents, Jetadmin Services: Versions shipped
with Windows 95.
- TCP: 16-bit stacks
NOTE: Non-WinSock2 TCP/IP stacks are only supported on
upgrades. These products do not function if installed
on Windows Me.
Processor Type Reported in System Control
-----------------------------------------
Information reported in the System Control Panel reflects
the processor type being used by Windows, and is not a
guarantee of the actual make/type of processor installed
in your system. Newer processors that are released after
Windows Me may not be properly identified.
Samsung USB Keyboard with Hub
-----------------------------
The hub on the Samsung USB keyboard does not always
identify itself correctly. When it identifies itself
as a self-powered device, it confuses the operating
system, causing odd behavior with the hub portion of
the keyboard. There is no workaround. Use low-powered
USB devices such as mouse and gaming devices or
self-powered devices with this keyboard.
Support for Lexmark MarkVision and Custom
Printer Drivers
-----------------------------------------
Some early versions of MarkVision and the
Lexmark Custom Printer drivers are incompatible
with Windows Me. To avoid a problem
with your system, Windows Me disables
these components when you upgrade from Windows 95 if
you currently have LEXBCE version 1.03 or earlier.
If you have a version later than LEXBCE 1.03, Lexmark
software works correctly on Windows Me.
To determine which version of LEXBCE you have,
use Windows Explorer. Go to your \Windows\System
subdirectory. Right-click LEXBCE.DLL, and then
click Properties. Click the Version tab, and then
locate the File version information. If needed,
you can obtain a newer version of the software
from the Lexmark Technical Support Center or on
the World Wide Web at
http://www.lexmark.com.
Vines16
-------
The Vines16 install program behaves the same in
Windows Me as it does in Windows 95.
When the install program runs, users must first install
the client, and then after Windows restarts, cancel the
installation program. This completes the Vines16
installation.
During the cancel portion of the Vines16 install
program, the Vines file WNEWREV.EXE occasionally
causes a GPF. The machine hangs sometimes with video
corruption. When this happens, the Shell has been
reset to shell=z:\wnewrev.exe. After Windows 98
restarts, it will continuously restart. To fix this,
edit C:\Windows\System.ini and set the
shell=z:\wnewrev.exe to shell=explorer.exe.
If the Vines interface does not function, for example,
if you cannot map a network driver from within Windows
or view previously mapped Vines drives, the path may be
lost or corrupt. You must have Z:\ set to the end of the
path. This can be accomplished in either the Autoexec.bat
or the Vines Login script. You can also have the Vines
Administrator place the path in the Vines login script
for you.
On rare occasions, during the Vines16 client install
program, the following error occurs:
"ver.dll file in use, click okay" which results in an
endless loop with the Vines16 client install program.
The workaround is:
1. Shut down your machine.
2. Restart your machine in Safe Mode, Command
Prompt Only.
3. Edit C:\Windows\System.ini so shell=explorer.exe
4. Edit C:\Windows\Vines.ini to include dontcopy=1 in
the [newrev] section
5. Restart your system.
If the Vines16 client install program runs spontaneously
or runs every time the system is restarted, edit
C:\Windows\Vines.ini to include dontcopy=1 in the
[newrev] section.
Always click NO when the Vines16 install program
prompts you to overwrite ver.dll. Overwriting ver.dll
causes a fault with the powrprf.dll and major loss
of Windows functionality, like printing and Control
Panel functions. The workaround is to re-extract
ver.dll from your Windows Me source
media to C:\Windows and C:\Windows\System.
Windows Device Manager Video Capture Devices
and Video for Windows Applications
--------------------------------------------
Applications that use the Video for Windows 1.1 (VFW)
interfaces also use drivers that conform to the VfW 1.1
driver interfaces. However, with the new Windows Device
Manager (WDM) video capture interfaces in Windows 98
Second Edition, applications can no longer use the VfW
interfaces to directly communicate with these WDM-based
devices. Windows Me includes a software
layer that translates VfW 1.1 interfaces into WDM video
capture interfaces. This translation software works only
for video capture devices on external busses (USB and 1394)
in Windows Me.
Analog capture devices (such as PCI cards with video
decoder chips that use WDM drivers) cannot use this
translation software. The original VfW drivers for these
analog capture devices will continue to work but they
cannot be used in combination with the newer WDM drivers.
An updated version of this translation software is
available at http://www.microsoft.com/support.
For information, search for "Video for Windows WDM".
Digital IDs
------------------------------------------------------------
If you uninstall Windows Me, any certificates
you obtained after installation will be removed.
To avoid this, you can contact the certificate provider to
obtain another certificate, or you can save the certificate
and use it with Internet Explorer version 4.0 or later in
Windows 95 and Windows 98, or Windows98 SE with Internet
Explorer 5.0.
To save a certificate before you uninstall Windows:
1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, click Internet Options,
and then click the Content tab.
2. Click Certificates, and then click Export.
LOGITECH WHEEL MOUSE
====================
Logitech Wheel Mouse running Logitech MouseWare versions
older than 8.35 will fail when upgrading from Windows 98
to Windows ME. In order to continue full functionality of
your Logitech Wheel Mouse, please update your Logitech
MouseWare to the latest version available on the Logitech website.
UNDOCKING INSTRUCTIONS
=========================
Millennium supports two methods of undocking; Warm and Hot. "Warm"
undocking is described as the system entering standby before being
undocked from the docking station. "Hot" undocking is described as the
system being undocked from the docking station while it is fully powered.
Whether or not a laptop system supports Warm or Hot undocking depends on
the capabilities of the laptop itself as designed by the manufacturer.
To undock a laptop, Microsoft Millennium officially supports the
following method: From the Start menu, choose "EJECT".
If the laptop system supports "Warm" undocking, the system will enter
standby before the laptop is required to be removed from the dock. This
may occur automatically or the user may be required to manually eject the
system from the dock after it enters standby. The method of removing the
system from the dock is dependant on the design of the system by the
Manufacturer.
If the laptop system supports "Hot" undocking, the system will
automatically eject from the dock, or the user will be prompted with the
following message: "Windows told the computer to undock. If you need to
eject the system by hand, please do so now." The method of removing the
system from the dock is dependant on the design of the system by the
Manufacturer.
Modification Type: | Minor | Last Reviewed: | 9/28/2004 |
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Keywords: | kbinfo kbreadme KB262921 |
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