DOCUMENT:Q108843 09-NOV-1999 [pcmail] TITLE :PC Ext: Err Msg: Invalid Option Specified in .INI PRODUCT :Microsoft Mail For PC Networks PROD/VER:WINDOWS:3.2 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, version 3.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== With version 3.2 of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, the External Mail program (EXTERNAL.EXE) may exit with the following error: Invalid option specified in .INI: CAUSE ===== This error is caused by a comment line that does not have a semicolon (;) in the first column of the INI file, or does not follow a valid INI option. A comment line of the form ; This is a comment ThisIsAValidOption ; This is a comment does not cause the error. A line of the form ; This is a comment is incorrect and causes the error. This error can also be caused by a corrupt .INI file. RESOLUTION ========== Place a semicolon in the first column of every comment line that does not follow a valid INI option. Thus the line ; This is a comment is correct. Several sample configurations for the External Mail program in the Microsoft Mail for PC Networks version 3.2 "Administrator's Guide" incorrectly display comment lines. Any comment line that does not follow a valid INI option must have a semicolon in the first column. If you have double checked the .INI file and are certain that the entries are all valid, try creating a new one. Do not copy and paste from the old one, instead use Notepad or another ASCII editor and create a new .INI file. Additional query words: 3.20 ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbMailSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbMailPCN320 Version : WINDOWS:3.2 ============================================================================= 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. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.