GP Fault with SETUP.SHH if [Windir] Path Exceeds 29 Characters (85312)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q85312

SUMMARY

In Windows operating system version 3.1, a general protection (GP) fault can occur when the Setup program switches to the graphical portion of the setup. This error can occur if the directory specified in the [windir] section exceeds 29 characters.

MORE INFORMATION

The Windows automated setup option allows you to write a script file for Setup. An example called SETUP.SHH is supplied with Windows 3.1. You may configure Setup to automatically install certain printers, applications, hardware, or other options.

The [windir] section in the SETUP.SHH file specifies the location to install the user's Windows files. Depending on the size of the entry in the [windir] section, one of many error messages may appear. If the string if greater than 32 characters, WINSETUP will cause a GP fault in CPWIN386.CPL, followed by a GP fault in USER.EXE, and then drop the user out to MS-DOS with the error message:
Standard Mode: Fault in MS-DOS Extender

Examples

The following is a valid entry for the [windir] section: 
   [windir]

   k:\sys\apps1\windows\stations

(Note: The entry contains fewer than 29 characters.)

The following entry will cause the Setup program to fail: 
   [windir]

   k:\sys\apps\windows\stations\0

(Note: The entry contains more than 29 characters.)

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/10/2003
Keywords:KB85312
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.