Using the Invisible Network with Windows (89171)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q89171

SUMMARY

This article contains information on Invisible Software's product Invisible Network and its use with Microsoft Windows 3.0 and 3.1. The following topics are included:

  • Using Invisible Network with Windows 3.0
  • Using Invisible Network with Windows 3.1

MORE INFORMATION

Using Invisible Network with Windows 3.0

Invisible Network provides nondedicated MS-DOS server operation in a peer-to-peer environment. It will only function with Invisible Software's proprietary Ethernet or twisted pair network adapters.

Setup

Invisible Network 2.21a or later should be used. It will be detected by Windows 3.0 as "IBM PC LAN," provided that the network was loaded before the Windows Setup program is run, and that the /I parameter (used to disable Windows automatic hardware detection) is not being used. This is the correct choice for this network.

Printing

Printing over the network to a shared printer should work correctly using LPT1:, LPT2:, or LPT3:. It has been noted, however, that the Windows Print Manager displays the message
A general network error has occurred.
In addition,
[NETWORK ERROR]
is displayed on the status line for the redirected printer. For this reason, it is recommended that you disable the use of the Print Manager by choosing the Printers icon from the Control Panel and clearing the Use Print Manager check box.

WARNING: If a job is printed while the Print Manager is in a restored state (not minimized), the workstation hangs. This is an additional reason to disable the Print Manager. Invisible Software is researching this problem.

386 Enhanced Mode

386 enhanced mode is not recommended at this time on any machine that is designated as a server (that is, any machine that shares a printer and/or disk service). Workstations can run 386 enhanced mode.

Invisible Software recommends adding the following entries to the [386enh] section of the Windows SYSTEM.INI file on workstations running in 386 enhanced mode: 
   network=*vnetbios,*dosnet
   FileSysChange=off
   InDOSPolling=TRUE
   INT28Critical=TRUE
   ReflectDosInt2A=FALSE
   UniqueDOSPSP=FALSE
   LPT1AutoAssign=0
   LPT2AutoAssign=0
   LPT3AutoAssign=0
   PerVMFiles=0
Additionally, you may need to add the line 
   EMMExclude=XXXX-YYYY
where XXXX is the beginning address and YYYY is the ending address of the network adapter in the reserved memory area.

Using Invisible Network with Windows 3.1

To run the Invisible Network with Windows 3.1, you must use version 3.13.

Steps to Install Invisible Network into Windows 3.1

  1. Run Windows 3.1.
  2. From the File menu, choose Run.
  3. Type setup and press ENTER.
  4. From the Options menu, choose Change System Settings.
  5. From the Network list box, choose Other Network.
  6. When asked to insert the network driver disk, supply the following path:

    C:\NET30

The Invisible Network software loads. You will have to exit and restart Windows.

Invisible Network is manufactured by Invisible Software, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB89171
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.