Network Redirector Error in Windows 95B and Windows NT

Microsoft has admitted there is a significant bug in their network redirector. On Windows 95 networks and NT networks, the problem is a defective network redirector file supplied with Windows 95B named VREDIR.VXD. The file is not keeping the local workstation cache and the server data in sync. This error can cause problems in CRIS-Windows32 databases and in the index files that CRIS uses. We have enclosed a copy of the updated files from Microsoft and strongly urge you to install them on all CRIS workstations.

If you are using Windows 95B (August 1996), or have applied the Microsoft Service packs (bug fixes, with updated features) to update the July 1995 version, the Sept. 1997 version of VREDIR.VXD should be used (rather than the July 1995, or Aug. 1996 versions).

This error also affects Novell networks if you are using Microsoft's Client32. We recommend that you switch to Novell Client32 version 2.2, or newer (versions prior to 2.2 also had problems).

The following statement was released by Microsoft:

[Microsoft Technical Support]

Possible Database File Damage When Data Is Appended

Last reviewed: September 26, 1997

Article ID: Q174371

The information in this article applies to:

* Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release versions 2, 2.1

SYMPTOMS

Database programs running in Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR2) or 2.1 (OSR 2.1) over a Microsoft network may damage the database.

CAUSE

When a program uses the GetFileSize() API to get the size of an existing file on a Microsoft networking server (such as a Windows NT-based server), the Client for Microsoft Networks may not return the correct file size. When the program then attempts to write additional information to the end of the file, it may overwrite existing data instead.

This problem has been observed only with the version of the Client for Microsoft Networks (Vredir.vxd) included with OSR2 (version 4.00.1111) and later.

STATUS

This issue is resolved by the following updated file for Windows 95

OSR2:

Vredir.vxd version 4.00.1116 (dated 9/11/97) and later

To install this update, follow these steps:

1. Download the Vrdrupd.exe file from the Microsoft Software Library to an empty folder.

2. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, double-click the Vrdrupd.exe file you downloaded in step 1.

3. Follow the instructions on the screen.

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft

Software Library:

Vrdrupd.exe (size: 215728 bytes)

[Note: this file is included on a disk with the CRIS-Windows32 installation disks. Be sure to install the disk.]

For more information about downloading files from the Microsoft Software Library, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q119591

TITLE : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

The following files are installed by Vrdrupd.exe:

File Version Date/Time Size Destination folder

Vredir.vxd 4.00.1116 9/11/97 11:16a 156,773 Windows\System

Vnetsup.vxd 4.00.1112 5/30/97 11:12a 17,595 Windows\System