1997/11/03 Caterpillar

VIMS-PC, Windows '95 And Novell Network Interaction {7601}

Usage:

5130 (5ZL, 7TJ),
5230 (7LL) Excavators;
784B (5RK) Tractor;
785B (6HK),
789B (7EK),
793B (1HL),
793C (4AR) Trucks;
992G (7HR),
994 (9YF) Wheel Loaders

Reference: Service Manual Module, SENR6059, "Vital Information Management System (VIMS)"

Novell networks are becoming more popular among VIMS-PC users. The networked computers using VIMS-PC may not always work the same as a non-networked PC. The following complications have been discovered while using VIMS-PC in a Novell network environment:

1. VIMS-PC is setup within the program to install only on the C: drive. This applies to non-networked PC's as well.

2. VIMS-PC may not open after logging into a Novell network. The problem has been linked to a newer version of Windows '95 (OSR2). This version is only released with new computers and is not available for purchase separately. The original Windows '95 upgrade may be purchased through most software retailers. The Windows'95 (OSR2) is not compatible with the original version of Windows '95, however the network treats them as the same. When installing a new PC onto a Novell network, the common practice is to copy all of the DOS files into a subdirectory on the server. The reason is to allow easy system-wide upgrades. When DOS is loaded, it has a version number (i.e. 6.22) that the network uses to determine which version of DOS to run. Windows '95 is detected as DOS 7.0 and loads the appropriate directory. This is normal and causes no problem by itself.

The difficulty starts when the Windows '95 (OSR2) operating system is being used and is detected as the older Windows '95 by the network. When Windows needs to access it's command files, it accesses the wrong files which corrupts Windows '95 in memory and can cause unpredictable results.

The best way to avoid this software incompatibility is to delete Windows '95 (OSR2) and reinstall the old Windows'95 operating system. It is recommended that Windows '95 (OSR2) not be installed on older computers because it may not work with existing hardware.

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NOTICE

BACK-UP ALL DATA PRIOR TO DELETING WINDOWS '95 (OSR2). THIS PROCEDURE WILL DESTROY ALL FILES ON THE COMPUTER. CONTACT NETWORK SUPPORT PERSONNEL FOR ASSISTANCE.