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Q86455: WINFILE.INI with Hidden or System Attibute Causes GP Fault

Article: Q86455
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 25-SEP-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

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

If the WINFILE.INI file is assigned the hidden or system attribute, the
following error message is displayed when you run Windows 3.1:

  Application Error
  WINFILE Caused a General Protection Fault
  in module USER.EXE at XXXX:XXXX

RESOLUTION
==========

To correct this error, remove the hidden or system attribute from the
WINFILE.INI file.

To display the current attributes of a file, change to the directory the file is
in. Type the following command, then press ENTER:

  attrib <filename>

To change the attributes of a file, change to the directory that the file is in.
Use the following command, then press ENTER:

  attrib [+r|-r] [+a|-a] [+s|-s] [+h|-h] [drive:][path][filename]

MORE INFORMATION
================

The File Manager (WINFILE.EXE) uses the WINFILE.INI file to store configuration
information. If the WINFILE.INI does not exist, it is created by WINFILE.EXE
when launched. The MS-DOS hidden and/or system attributes make the WINFILE.INI
invisible to WINFILE.EXE. When WINFILE.EXE attempts to create a new WINFILE.INI
file, MS-DOS generates a file creation error, because this file already exists.
This error generates the GP fault message.

REFERENCES
==========

"Microsoft MS-DOS User's Guide and Reference," version 5.0, page 368 "Microsoft
Windows User's Guide," version 3.1, page 128

Additional query words: 3.10 3.11 err msg gpf

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

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