Invalid Err Msg in Print Manager w/14-Character Machine Name

 Last reviewed: May 16, 1995
Article ID: Q92634
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.1, 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

Microsoft Windows for Workgroups allows you to provide a machine name of up to 15 characters. However, long machine names can cause a problem with Print Manager.

With machine names of 14 or 15 characters, Print Manager inappropriately displays an error message for the status of any port attached to that server.

For example, if your machine is connected to \\LONGMACHINENAME\PRINTER on LPT1, Print Manager displays 

   !Error
in the Status column for that printer.

In the Status bar at the bottom of the Print Manager, the following messages are also displayed: 

   The Printer is Stalled.
   The computer name is invalid.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, reduce the length of the computer name to 13 characters or fewer.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 and version 3.11. We are researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.

KBCategory: kbnetwork kbbuglist
KBSubcategory: wfw wfwg
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11

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Last reviewed: May 16, 1995
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