CompuServe Thread

#MSCDEX 2.21

8 messages in this thread
#43202From: Paul P. DinoMar 16, 1993 12:37 PM
Hello, Can anyone tell me what the definitions for the switches in MSCDEX.EXE indicate? They are as follows: MSCDEX [/E/K/S/V] [/D:DRIVER…] [/L:LETTER] [/M:BUFFER]. I understand the /D parameter and possibly the /M, but the rest remain a mystery. The reason I ask is because I believe MSCDEX.EXE and /or Norton Desktop for Windows is causing an annoying little problem on my system. Every time I start windows, just prior to the desktop coming up, I receive the error: "System Error. Unable to Read From Drive E". My drive "E" is a Creative Labs/Panasonic internal CD ROM drive. I called the tech folks at Symantic and Microsoft and neither could figure it out. The best Symantic could tell me was that NDW polls all the drives and to leave a CD in the drive, that's just a quick fix and not a solution. When I REM out the MCSDEX driver, I can start NDW with no errors, so this is why I believe is has to be related to the MSCDEX driver in some way. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Paul…
#43477From: Phil BowlesMar 19, 1993 7:03 PM
I had the same problem till i binned NDW. Initially, I thought that some .INI file had a reference to e:, but I cleaned out ALL references and STILL it happened. In the end, I presumed wot Symantec told you. Can't see why NDW can cope with empty A: B: but not CDROM's if MSCDEX makes it look like a normal disk, but there you go. Maybe some techie can explain. You don;t mention yr windows vn is it 3.0? If so, get 3.1, and bin NDW. All you'll miss is the viewer and searcher, which you can still run.
#43543From: Curtis HertwigMar 20, 1993 9:05 AM
Pardon my ignorance, but what do you mean by "bin NDW"? -cjh
#43628From: Adrian Godfrey [D]Mar 21, 1993 1:33 PM
Curtis, >> bin NDW He means throw away, dispose of, get rid of, trash etc NDW (Norton Desktop for Windows) I'm keeping an open mind on the merits of NDW; I'm only translating the expression<g> Adrian
#43648From: Phil BowlesMar 21, 1993 4:23 PM
Consign it to the bin, trash it, can it. In UK we call a trashcan a dustbin or bin for short.
#43724From: Curtis HertwigMar 22, 1993 8:11 AM
Ahhh, I forget about the international aspects here. Problem was bin is widely used in the Unix world as short for binary. Almost every Unix system I've seen has a BIN subdirectory where utility program (binary files) are stored. (Kind of like a DOS or UTIL subdirectory.) I thought maybe you had compiled a certain portion or something. Thanks for the clarification. I'm running NDW v2 and have just bought a CD-ROM drive. I find that every now and then Windows seems to slow down and the CD drive squeeks for no apparent reason, but I suppose that that is NDW checking the drive. I'm not about to "bin" NDW though, too convenient and PM is the lamest interface on the planet. Lots of people raving about the new PC-Tools for Windows though. -cjh
#43548From: kevin kellyMar 20, 1993 10:35 AM
There is documentation for the switches in file Laser3.txt in Library #4.
#43693From: David HayMar 22, 1993 3:36 AM
What version of Windows do you have and what version of the Desktop? I do not have this problem now but remember it once. It may be something as simple as saving a new configuration. I wouldn't be so quick to bin NDW.