[comp.windows.ms] win 3.0 vs win 3.0a

nice1.ne.rpi.edu (Y. Danon) (05/29/91)

Does anyone knows the difference between win 3.0 and win3.0a

Y. Danon (danon@aix.rpi.edu) 

Renee@cup.portal.com (Renee Linda Roberts) (05/30/91)

UAE's don't happen as often. I think they also fixed some network problems,
but all I care about is the UAE's.

Renee Roberts

kenv@hplsla.HP.COM (Ken Voelker) (06/01/91)

> 
>
>Does anyone knows the difference between win 3.0 and win3.0a
>
>Y. Danon (danon@aix.rpi.edu) 
>----------


Here's the text of a memo I received recently on the above - I believe it's
official, i.e. from Microsoft.  It sure addresses the situations where I
most frequently have encountered UAE's.  Can't give any feedback on how
effective the fixes are - I only installed it an hour ago.


Ken



        SIGNIFICANT FIXES IN WINDOWS 3.OOA:

Users experiencing Unexpected Application Errors (UAEs) in
Microsoft Windows 3.00, either when printing, using Dynamic
Data Exchange between Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word for
Windows or network specific applications, should consider
upgrading to Microsoft Windows 3.00a.

The following information is included for those requiring
more technical information about the fixes.

DPMI

In very rare circumstances, standard mode Windows 3.0 may
experience Unexpected Application Errors (UAEs), hangs, and
other assorted crashing behaviors caused by programs calling
into real mode code (e.g.  Terminate and Stay Resident
programs (TSRs), drivers, etc.  ). This covers a wide
variety of software, including 3270 emulators, fax
board/scanner drivers, etc.  Users experiencing standard
mode problems in configurations similar to those described
here should be provided with 3. OOa upgrades.

3.OOa fixes these problems with a change to the DOS extender
(DOSX.EXE) making DPMI (interrupt 31h) translation services
reentrant.

NetBIOS:

Users experiencing data loss and/or corruption problems in
Windows network connectivity applications, such as 3270
emulators and other network specific applications, should
receive upgrades to 3.OOa.  Corrupted packet problems on
direct NetBIOS calls are addressed in 3.OOa with minor fixes
to DOSX.EXE and V86MMGR.386 (included in WIN386.EXE).

The following software vendors are currently known to ship
software requiring the 3.OOa fixes:  Wall Data, Gupta,
Oracle, Attachmate, WonderWare,

Desktop Data.

Unexpected Application Errors (UAE) : Dynamic Data Exchange
(DDE), low memory, printing Only users experiencing UAEs in
the following situations should upgrade to 3.00a:

Enhanced Mode DDE:

Users experiencing UAEs while using DDE in 386 enhanced
mode, e.g.  between Microsoft Word for Windows and Microsoft
Excel, should upgrade to Windows 3.OOa.  This may or may not
remove the UAE, depending on system configuration, DDE link
characteristics, memory availability, etc.

Low Memory:

Operating Windows in low memory conditions can cause UAEs in
Windows 3.0 when program code is being swapped in and out of
RAM from the hard disk. Users experiencing UAEs when their
systems are low on memory (many applications running, data files
open, etc.) should upgrade to 3.OOa.


Printing:

Printing operations require a lot of memory to load drivers,
prepare output data, etc.  This can cause Windows 3.0 to run
low on memory and result in a UAE.  Users experiencing UAEs
when printing should upgrade to 3.OOa.

Windows 3.OOa can be identified in the following ways:

1)  WINVER.EXE reports the version 3.OOa in DOS and Windows
    mode.

2)  Program Manager, File Manager, Control Panel Help About
    dialogs reports 3.OOa

3)  All files are time stamped 10/31/90 03:00:00 am

4)  On the box 3.OOa can be distinguished from 3.00 by four
    (++++) above the serial number.