DOCUMENT:Q78364 10-OCT-1999 [win95x] TITLE :Explanation of Device Contention and Windows PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product PROD/VER:WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= When more than one application is running at the same time in Microsoft Windows 386 enhanced mode, the applications sometimes request the use of a device such as a printer or a modem at the same time. The device contention options determine how Windows responds to these requests. MORE INFORMATION ================ The device contention options apply only when a non-Windows application is one of the applications requesting access to the device. When more than one Windows application requests access to a device, Windows handles their use of the device without these options. The device contention options are described in the following table. Generally, it is a good idea to accept the standard settings. Situations that might warrant changing the settings are included in the option descriptions. Use This Option To Do This --------------- ---------- Always Warn Specify that a warning message be displayed every time an application tries to use the device when the device is already in use. The warning message asks you which application should be given control of the port. In most situations, you should select this option. Never Warn Specifies that any application can use the device at any time, without a warning message. However, this means that two applications could conceivably try to use the same device at the same time; this may produce undesirable results, such as a garbled printed document. Select this option when you are absolutely sure that no more than one printing or communicating application will try to use the device at the same time. Idle Specify the number of seconds after an application stops using a device before another application can use the same device without causing the warning message to be displayed. The range is from 1 to 999 seconds. Use this option when the device is capable of switching back and forth between two applications. For example, you might use Cardfile to automatically dial an on-screen service and then switch to another application to communicate with the service. In this example, you would specify a short delay, such as two seconds. REFERENCES ========== "Microsoft Windows User's Guide," version 3.0, pages 190-192 "Microsoft Windows User's Guide," version 3.1, page 247 Additional query words: win31 3.00 3.00a 3.10 system.ini control panel 386 enhanced icon wincomm ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311 Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11 ============================================================================= 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.