Err Msg Changing Virtual Memory Setting: 32-Bit File Access... (109510)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11

This article was previously published under Q109510

SYMPTOMS

When you try to change your virtual memory configuration using the Enhanced button in Control Panel, you may receive one of the following error messages:
32-bit File Access is not running because you started a real-mode network redirector before starting Windows.
-or-
32-bit File Access was unable to run. This may be because you started the network before starting Windows, because Windows could not find the IFSHLP.SYS driver, or your hard disk(s) may be incompatible with 32-bit File Access.

CAUSE

This error can occur when:

  • Windows for Workgroups 3.11 32-bit file access (VCACHE) is enabled but the IFSHLP.SYS driver is not loading properly (or at all) from the CONFIG.SYS file. IFSHLP.SYS must be loaded in order for 32-bit file access to function.
  • You are using Windows for Workgroups without network functionality, no network card is installed, and you have an IDE hard disk. To work around this problem remove POWER.EXE.
  • If the VSHARE.386 line in the SYSTEM.INI file is missing or not enabled. Verify that the following line exists in the [386ENH] section of the SYSTEM.INI file:
         Device=VSHARE.386
    						
  • If you enable 32-bit File Access and do not exit and restart Windows and then choose the Virtual Memory button again in the same Windows session.

RESOLUTION

Make sure that IFSHLP.SYS is being loaded from the CONFIG.SYS file. For example, if your Windows directory is called WINDOWS and is located on drive C, CONFIG.SYS should contain the following line:
     device=c:\windows\ifshlp.sys
				
If the IFSHLP.SYS driver is already being loaded from the CONFIG.SYS file, verify that it is being loaded into memory with the MEM /C /P command. IFSHLP should take up approximately 4 kilobytes of memory.

NOTE: If you are using Multi-Config commands in your CONFIG.SYS file, add the above device statement to the [COMMON] section of your CONFIG.SYS file.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/23/1999
Keywords:KB109510