Optimizing WFWG 3.11 for Real-Mode NetBIOS Programs

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When you are using a program or tool that relies on the real-mode NetBIOS interface provided by NetBEUI, your network session may be dropped in Windows for Workgroups 3.11. This problem is most likely to occur with programs or tools that load a real-mode TSR that interfaces with NetBIOS and have Windows-based components that communicate with the TSR.

CAUSE

This problem can be caused by a number of different timing and optimization problems that can occur when a Windows-based component uses the protected- mode NetBIOS interface to communicate with a real- mode TSR running over real-mode NetBEUI.

RESOLUTION

Disabling the protected-mode NetBEUI component and optimizing the real- mode NetBEUI protocol may increase the reliability of layered applications based on a real-mode NetBIOS interface requiring real-mode NetBEUI.

The instructions in the following sections may help you to resolve the problem described in this article.

Remove Protected-Mode NetBEUI/Use Real-Mode NetBEUI Only

1. In the Network group, double-click the Network Setup icon.

2. Click Drivers.

3. Click the network adapter driver, and then click Setup.

4. In the Driver Type box, click Real Mode NDIS Driver, and then click OK until you exit Network Setup.

5. When you are prompted to restart your computer, click Continue.

6. Use any text editor (such as Notepad) to open the System.ini file. Locate the line that reads

         transport=netbeui.386
   

   and change it to:

         transport=
   

7. Add the following line to the [Network] section of the file:

         AutoStart=NETBEUI
   

8. Save and then close the System.ini file.

Optimize the Real-Mode NetBEUI Protocol

1. In the Network group, double-click the Network Setup icon.

2. Click Drivers.

3. Click the NetBEUI protocol, and then click Set As Default Protocol.

4. Click Setup, click Sessions, and increase the value to at least 16 (depending on your results).

5. Click Set, click NCBS, and increase the value to at least 32 (depending on your results).

6. Click Set, and then click OK until you exit Network Setup. When you are prompted to restart your computer, click Continue.

Optimize the Virtualized Network Interface

1. Use any text editor (such as Notepad) to open the System.ini file.

2. Locate the line that reads

         NetHeapSize=20
   

   and change it to:

         NetHeapSize=32
   

   NOTE: You can use a value greater than 32, depending on your results.

3. Save and then close the System.ini file

4. Restart your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

You can also obtain and install Application Note WG0970 to help resolve these problems. For information about obtaining this Application Note, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q109448
   TITLE     : WG0970: VNETBIOS.386 Corrects Real-Mode Transport Problems