Windows Setup Hangs if SYSTEM.INI Has EOF Character (71270)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
This article was previously published under Q71270

SYMPTOMS

If you upgrade from Windows 3.0 to Windows 3.0a, and the SYSTEM.INI file contains an end-of-file character, the Setup program stops responding (hangs) without displaying an error message.

NOTE: This problem does not occur in later versions of Windows.

CAUSE

If the SYSTEM.INI file terminates with an end-of-file (EOF) character, the Windows Setup program stops (hangs). Most text editors (such as Edlin) terminate ASCII files with the "1Ah" (end-of-file) character. If you have used this type of editor to edit the SYSTEM.INI file, then Setup hangs when updating video or other OEM drivers. This occurs with either the DOS- or Windows-based Setup program.

WORKAROUND

Edit the SYSTEM.INI file with an editor such as Notepad or SysEdit that doesn't use the EOF character, or use a HEX editor that removes this character. Setup then operates correctly.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB71270
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