KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q92574: NULL Character Causes Loss of Data in INI Files

Article: Q92574
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1,3.11; :1.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 09-OCT-1999

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

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11 
- Microsoft WinLogin, version 1.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

WinLogin adds a NULL character to all INI files that it manages. Any sections
that are added to the INI file during a Windows session are added after the NULL
character. This prevents the new sections from being saved when you exit and
restart Windows. Editing the file in Windows Write, deleting the NULL character,
and saving the file corrects this problem.

Note: The Windows Write application has to be used to edit the INI files. The
NULL character does not show up if the files are edited in the Windows Notepad.

This information applies to version 1.0 of Microsoft WinLogin. For information
about ordering Microsoft WinLogin, call the Microsoft Sales Information Center
(MSIC) at (800) 426-9400, or mail the form supplied with the Windows Resource
Kit (WRK) for the Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1.

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

With Microsoft WinLogin, INI files are set up by the system administrator for
specific settings for users and workstations. By default, WinLogin manages the
PROGMAN.INI, SYSTEM.INI, and WIN.INI files. The specific INI files set up by the
administrator are merged together when Windows starts with WinLogin installed.
During this merging process, the NULL character is placed at the end of the
file.

If, for example, a program is installed or a printer is added with Control Panel,
any INI entries that are added in the process are placed after the NULL
character. If the NULL character is not removed before exiting Windows, all
changes to the INI files will be lost.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in WinLogin version 1.0. We are
researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes
available.

For more information about WinLogin, query on the following word in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

  WinLogin

Additional query words: 1.00 missing nul gone Win Login

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbWinLoginSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin310 kbWin311 kbWinLogin100
Version           : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11; :1.0

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

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.