There have been many questions about the correct procedure to setup file and print sharing for Windows 95. Here is a common scenario across campus: User1 sets the network configuration for File and printer Sharing but by default it gets set for Netware Networks. User1 is able to share files and print but under this configuration, user1's computer now appears as a novell server. If another user (user2) tries to log into novell in the next room or general area, their computer will look for the closest server which will be user1's computer. User2 will get an error message informing him/her that they are not able to log in to novell.
To counteract this effect, we are recommending users set their network configuration for file and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks. Obviosously if you are already configured this way then you will not need to make any changes. If your computer is configured for File and printer sharing for Novell Networks you need to do the following:
1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel then open the Network icon (quicker way: right click Network Neighborhood then Properties)
2. If your computer is configured for "File and printer sharing for Netware Networks" select this line and click Remove, otherwise go to step three.
3. Click Add, then Service
4. Click Add, then Microsoft
5. Select "File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks"
6. If you have your Windows 95 CD insert it and click OK. If you do not have the CD then click Have Disk and enter:
\\HIGGINS\WINDOWS95\WIN95
You will be prompted to restart your computer, do so and you will be configured properly for file and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks at WPI. This recommended change to your configuration will help reduce the number of complaints when users are trying to log into Novell.
UPDATES: *If you are not setting multiple configurations in Windows 95, disregard this update*
With Windows 95 one has the ability to have multiple configurations for a computer. When a person uses Winstall 5.1, any applications installed will run from that specific configuration. If another user on the same computer has set a different configuration for themselves, Winstall will not even be listed under Programs even though all necessary files are located on that computer's hard drive. The second user needs to run the Winstall procedure again for their specific configuration. If the second user runs winstall again then tries to install programs like Microsoft Office, Lotus, PC-Xware, WP, etc., the winstall installation will look for a previous version installed and if it finds one, winstall will not allow the second user to install the software under their configuration. There is no way around this without disabling the ability of winstall to seek out previous installations of these products and not allow the user to overwrite local copies if they do in fact already exist on the person's hard drive.
The directions listed in the article two weeks ago in Newspeak (issue 09/10/96 also in the wpi.ccc and wpi.students newsgroups from Chris Mangiarelli entitled: IMPORTANT: Netscape 3.0 and Winstall 5.1 Upgrade) explain the procedure to use Winstall 5.1.
UPDATE: the "good times virus" a junk mail scam!!
If you or anyone you know receives an email message about the "Good Times" virus DISREGARD IT AND DELETE THE MESSAGE. The general message informs the reader not to read any message with the subject "Good Times" because that message contains this "very intelligent" deadly virus that is being spread nationwide via the Internet. It then instructs you that once you have read the general information message to forward it to all your friends. When you do this, you are contributing to the problem by clogging up the mail service with this large junkmail message.
There is no "Good Times virus engineered by a user of America On-Line that rewrites your hard drive, obliterating anything on it and that viruses like the 'Michaelangelo', 'Stoned' and 'Airwolf' pale in comparison to it, that always travels to other computers via a mail message containing the text subject 'Good Times' that once downloaded to your computer will be begin the destruction process". Whew!! The joke is that you fall for it and forward the message thereby contributing to it's annoying purpose of clogging up the mail system.
Also, the general message states not to download a file named PKUNZIP300 because this is the compressed virus and once unzipped it will destroy your computer. Go to PKUNZIP's home page and download any software from there if you want a valid program. I am sure that they monitor what files are on their servers and would not purposely distribute contaminated files where they would be held responsible for any consequences.
The CCC will continue to keep members of the WPI community informed of any new information concerning computer services.