Q78364: Explanation of Device Contention and Windows
Article: Q78364
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: 10-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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SUMMARY
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When more than one application is running at the same time in Microsoft Windows
386 enhanced mode, the applications sometimes request the use of a device such
as a printer or a modem at the same time. The device contention options
determine how Windows responds to these requests.
MORE INFORMATION
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The device contention options apply only when a non-Windows application is one
of the applications requesting access to the device. When more than one Windows
application requests access to a device, Windows handles their use of the device
without these options.
The device contention options are described in the following table. Generally, it
is a good idea to accept the standard settings. Situations that might warrant
changing the settings are included in the option descriptions.
Use This Option To Do This
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Always Warn Specify that a warning message be displayed every
time an application tries to use the device when the
device is already in use. The warning message asks
you which application should be given control of the
port.
In most situations, you should select this option.
Never Warn Specifies that any application can use the device at
any time, without a warning message. However, this
means that two applications could conceivably try to
use the same device at the same time; this may produce
undesirable results, such as a garbled printed
document.
Select this option when you are absolutely sure
that no more than one printing or communicating
application will try to use the device at the
same time.
Idle Specify the number of seconds after an application
stops using a device before another application can
use the same device without causing the warning
message to be displayed. The range is from 1 to 999
seconds.
Use this option when the device is capable of
switching back and forth between two applications.
For example, you might use Cardfile to automatically
dial an on-screen service and then switch to another
application to communicate with the service. In this
example, you would specify a short delay, such as two
seconds.
REFERENCES
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"Microsoft Windows User's Guide," version 3.0, pages 190-192
"Microsoft Windows User's Guide," version 3.1, page 247
Additional query words: win31 3.00 3.00a 3.10 system.ini control panel 386 enhanced icon wincomm
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Keywords :
Technology : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311
Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11
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