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Q76531: Windows Err Msg: Cannot Connect Printers…

Article: Q76531
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 15-OCT-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you choose the Printers icon from the Control Panel in Windows, you may
receive the error message:

  Cannot connect printers because the [ports] section of the WIN.INI file is
  missing; Choose cancel and edit the WIN.INI file or choose OK to continue.

CAUSE
=====

This error message may be caused by one of the following:

- The [ports] section of the WIN.INI file is missing. If this is the case, make
  sure you have a section in the WIN.INI file, as follows:

        [Ports]
        LPT1:=
        LPT2:=
        LPT3:=
        COM1:=9600,n,8,1
        COM2:=9600,n,8,1
        COM3:=9600,n,8,1
        COM4:=9600,n,8,1
        EPT:=
        FILE:=
        LPT1.OS2=
        LPT2.OS2=

- The WIN.INI file is corrupted. In this case, if you have a good backup copy
  of WIN.INI, copy this file into your Windows directory. If you don't have a
  good backup copy, expand the file WIN.SRC from the original Microsoft Windows
  disks to the Windows directory. Use the following command:

  c:\windows\expand a:win.src c:\windows\win.ini

  NOTE: Renaming the WIN.INI file does not solve the problem. The [ports]
  section will still be missing.

- Microsoft Windows cannot find the WIN.INI file, or does not recognize it. You
  need to reinstall Windows to create a new WIN.INI.

  If Windows is on a network, you should install Microsoft Windows on your local
  hard drive. This eliminates any problems that might arise through the "share"
  and "user" directories.

Additional query words: 3.00 win30 win31 3.00a

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11

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