Nwuser.exe Send Function Truncates Messages to 38 Characters

• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51 and 4.0
• Microsoft File and Print Services for NetWare version 4.0

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Novell NetWare Windows utility, Nwuser.exe, to send messages to and from Novell clients, the message is truncated to approximately 38 characters (NWUSER permits up to 255 characters.) This behavior is different than the Novell DOS client's Send.exe utility, which permits only up to 55 characters.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the following fix or wait for the next Windows NT service pack.

This fix should have the following time stamp:

Windows NT 4.0 Post Service Pack 3:

   10/24/97  4:53p               244,128  fpnw.dll       (Intel)
   10/24/97  4:52p               222,848  fpnwsrv.sys    (Intel)

   10/24/97  4:49p               438,544  fpnw.dll       (Alpha)
   10/24/97  4:49p               437,840  fpnwsrv.sys    (Alpha)

   10/29/97  5:47p               235,632  fpnw.dll       (Intel)
   10/29/97  5:47p               200,928  fpnwsrv.sys    (Intel)

   10/29/97  5:44p               412,432  fpnw.dll       (Alpha)
   10/29/97  5:44p               382,160  fpnwsrv.sys    (Alpha)

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

1. Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2. Go to the following key:

         HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\FPNW\Parameters
   

3. Click Add Value on the Edit menu.

4. Add the following value:

         Value Name: MaxNcpMessageLength
         Data Type: REG_DWORD
         Data: 0 (default), 1, or 250 (maximum)
   

         NOTE: If you set the value to 0, you get the limit of 55. If you set
         the limit to 1, you get a limit of 1 character messages. If you set
         the limit to 250, you get the limit of 250 character messages.
   

5. Click OK and then quit Registry Editor.

6. Shut down and restart Windows NT.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0 with Service Pack 3 and File and Print Services for NetWare version 4.0. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.