KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q85312: GP Fault with SETUP.SHH if [Windir] Path Exceeds 29 Characters

Article: Q85312
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 08-OCT-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.)

Additional query words: 3.10 3.1 3.11 AIF GPF

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin310 kbWin311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.