Running IBM PC LAN with Windows 3.0 and 3.1 (89274)



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 Q89274

SUMMARY

This article discusses using the IBM PC LAN network with Windows. The following topics are included:
  • Version required for Windows 3.0
  • No File Manager connections in Windows 3.0
  • Requires InDOSPolling=True
  • Broadcast message may hang workstation
  • Controlling multiple sessions

MORE INFORMATION

Version Required for Windows 3.0

Windows 3.0 requires a PC LAN network version 1.32 or later.

No File Manager Connections in Windows 3.0

In Windows 3.0, all network connections should be made before starting Windows. File Manager cannot connect to PC LAN network shares.

Requires InDOSPolling=True

When running PC LAN with Windows 3.0 and 3.1, you must add the following line to the SYSTEM.INI file's [386enh] section:

InDOSPolling=True

Broadcast Message May Hang Workstation

On some versions of PC LAN, network broadcast messages may hang the workstation receiving them. If this is the case, then either disable broadcast messages or contact your vendor for an updated version.

For more information on this topic, please refer to the NETWORKS.WRI file that comes with Windows 3.1.

Controlling Multiple Sessions

You can have up to 255 files open on a PC LAN server. To successfully open this many files, files=255 must be set in the CONFIG.SYS file of the server. Because Windows keeps 14 files open on the server, the maximum number of Windows sessions that can be run from the PC LAN server is around 18, provided no other files are open on the server:

sessions = 255/14 = 18

The 255-file limitation is a limitation of MS-DOS. Servers that run on different operating systems such as OS/2 do not experience this same limitation.

The IBM PC LAN product included here is manufactured by 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:KB89274