KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q140990: Mixing NDIS 2.0 and NDIS 3.x in Docked and Undocked States

Article: Q140990
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): 95
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): win95
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000

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

- Microsoft Windows 95 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you are using a portable computer with a PCMCIA network adapter that uses
NDIS 2.0 (16-bit) drivers, the computer may stop responding (hang) or reboot
when you try to start it while it is not docked in its docking station if the
docking station contains a network card that is capable of using NDIS 3.x
(32-bit) network adapter drivers.

CAUSE
=====

When Windows 95 detects the NDIS 2.0 drivers for the PCMCIA network adapter, it
forces the loading of NDIS 2.0 drivers for the other network adapter (which is
not currently present because the computer is undocked).

Because one of the network adapters is not present, an incomplete binding occurs,
which can cause the computer to hang or reboot.


RESOLUTION
==========

To enable Windows 95 to start whether the computer is docked or undocked, create
a multiple-boot configuration.

Do not perform this procedure until you have determined that you have a docked
state that requires an NDIS 3.x driver to be loaded and an undocked state that
requires an NDIS 2.0 driver to be loaded, or vice versa.

If this is not the case, you need to perform other troubleshooting steps to
resolve the problem.

To create a multiple-boot configuration, follow all the steps in the following
sections.

Preparing for Multiple Configurations
-------------------------------------

1. Make a backup copy of the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files.

2. Restart the computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press
  the F8 key, and then choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

3. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:

  " md configs " (without the quotation marks)

  You will use the new Configs folder for storing a temporary copy of the
  registry files.

Configuring the Network While Docked
------------------------------------

1. Dock your computer and then restart Windows 95 normally.

2. Use the Network tool in Control Panel to configure the computer to use the
  network adapter that is in the docking station. Use the NDIS 3.x protocols if
  they are compatible. If not, set the network adapter to use NDIS 2.0 drivers.

3. Restart the computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press
  the F8 key, and then choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

4. Change to the Windows folder.

5. Type the following lines. Press ENTER after each line:

  " attrib -r -s -h system.dat " (without the quotation marks)

  " copy/b system.dat c:\configs\system.dok " (without the quotation marks)

  " copy protocol.ini c:\configs\protocol.dok " (without the quotation marks)

Configuring the Network While Undocked
--------------------------------------

1. Undock the computer and then restart Windows 95 normally.

2. Use the Network tool in Control Panel to remove the network adapter you
  configured in step 2 above.

3. Configure the network adapter for the undocked configuration. This is
  typically a PCMCIA network adapter. If this adapter requires real-mode NDIS
  2.0 drivers, install them now.

4. Restart the computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press
  the F8 key, and then choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

5. Change to the Windows folder.

6. Type the following lines. Press ENTER after each line:

  " attrib -r -s -h system.dat " (without the quotation marks)

  " copy/b system.dat c:\configs\system.und " (without the quotation marks)

  " copy protocol.ini c:\configs\protocol.und " (without the quotation marks)

Enabling Multiple Configurations
--------------------------------

NOTE: The information in this section assumes that Windows 95 is installed in the
Windows folder on drive C. If this is not the case, please adjust the following
information accordingly.

Use any text editor (such as Notepad or Edit.com) to edit the Autoexec.bat file.
Add the following lines to the file:

  set windir=c:\windows
  choice/c:DU Docked or Undocked configuration
  if errorlevel 2 goto docked
  if errorlevel 1 goto undocked
  goto end

  :docked
     cd %windir%
     attrib -r -s -h system.dat
     del system.dat
     del protocol.ini
     copy/b c:\configs\system.dok system.dat
     copy c:\configs\protocol.dok protocol.ini
     goto end

  :undocked
     cd %windir%
     attrib -r -s -h system.dat
     del system.dat
     copy/b c:\configs\system.und system.dat
     copy c:\configs\protocol.und protocol.ini
     goto end

  :end
     rem all done

After you add these lines, save and then close the Autoexec.bat file.

When you restart your computer, the network adapter drivers will be processed
after the Autoexec.bat file has been processed. Therefore, the networking
components can be segregated into separate boot configurations without causing a
problem.

NOTE: Although this technique can be used for a variety of different situations,
it should be used only in this case. All other situations requiring multiple
configurations should be handled through the user interface using system
profiles.

REFERENCES
==========

For additional information about setting up multiple configurations,
double-click the Help.com file in the Other\Oldmsdos folder on the Windows 95
CD-ROM, and then click Multi-config on the Command References page.

======================================================================
Keywords          : win95 
Technology        : kbWin95search kbZNotKeyword3
Version           : 95

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

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.