DOCUMENT:Q119782 12-OCT-1999 [win95x] TITLE :Problems Accessing or Writing to the SYSTEM.INI File PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product PROD/VER:WINDOWS:3.1,3.11 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11 - Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== - Programs that modify the SYSTEM.INI file during installation stop responding (hang) or produce an error message similar to the following: Cannot read file SYSTEM.INI - When you use MS-DOS Editor (EDIT.COM) in an MS-DOS session to edit the SYSTEM.INI file, the system hangs. - You are unable to modify the virtual-memory settings on your computer. CAUSE ===== Close-Up version 6.0 from Norton-Lambert assigns write protection to the SYSTEM.INI file so that other applications cannot write to it. WORKAROUND ========== The only work around is to disable Close-Up with the following steps: 1. Open the AUTOEXEC.BAT file using a text editor, such as Windows Notepad. 2. Remark out (using the REM command) the statement that loads CHOST.EXE. Change \chost.exe to: rem \chost.exe 3. Save your changes and reboot your computer. MORE INFORMATION ================ Close-Up version 6.0 from Norton-Lambert is a modem host program that uses "unobtrusive technology." This technology allows Close-Up to operate without having its setup program make changes to the SYSTEM.INI file. After Close-Up is running, it makes changes to the copy of the SYSTEM.INI file that is in memory. Close-Up then locks the SYSTEM.INI file so that no other changes can be made. Close-Up is manufactured by Norton-Lambert, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability. Additional query words: setup err msg chost ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbWFWSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin310 kbWin311 kbWFW310 kbWFW311 Version : WINDOWS: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.