Find out what's missing from the CD-ROM for Microsoft's visual Java development tool for Windows 95
There is a flaw in the CD-ROM version of the latest release of Microsoft Visual J++ 1.01 for Windows 95. VJ++ will not load on a Windows 95 platform unless it is configured with a protected-mode CD driver. At heart, the problem has arisen because Windows 95 requires CD drivers to operate in protected mode to access file names that do not conform to the naming conventions of MS-DOS (and Java requires upper- and lowercase long file names). Because many systems in use today — especially those that were upgraded from Windows 3.1 — employ only real-mode drivers, this glitch can cause a significant headache for many potential VJ++ developers.
The installation problem manifests itself in various ways. When attempting to install, symptoms are slightly different, depending on whether you have another Setup program in your path. A sure way to tell is to explore your CD-ROM directories. If you can’t navigate into the directories with names that would be illegal under Windows 3.1, you have this installation problem.
Microsoft is aware of the Windows 95 problem and will fix it in version 1.1 of VJ++, due from the company in the near future, said Visual J++ program manager Chip Anderson. The problem does not exist on the Windows NT 4.0 platform.
According to a news flash on Microsoft’s Visual J++ Web site, the symptoms of the Windows 95 CD problem include the following:
Autorun.inf does not execute upon placing the CD in the drive. If you try to execute Setup.exe manually by using the Run option on the Start menu, you receive the following error message: “Cannot find the file drive letter: setup.exe” (or one of its components). Make sure the path and file name are correct and that all required libraries are available. If your path includes a directory where another Setup.exe resides, this file is found and executed instead. If you try to execute Setup.exe manually by double-clicking on the file name in Explorer, you receive the “Program Not Found” dialog box. [Again,] if your path includes a directory where another Setup.exe resides, this file is found and executed instead. You cannot open certain folders on the CD. [Instead] you receive the following error message: “The folder drive letter: foldername does not exist’. The folders for Cab&Sign, Cool Tools, MSDev, and Welcome cannot be opened.
“Unfortunately, the problem exists, but we are taking all the necessary steps to correct it,” said Microsoft’s Anderson. “We certainly don’t want it to become an issue for any of our customers.”
A JavaWorld product reviewer who struggled with this problem notes that currently the surest fix is to obtain a protected-mode driver from your CD-ROM manufacturer. For older drives, this may not be possible. If your system is networked to a system with a protected-mode driver or Windows NT 4.0, you can use this other system to copy the software to a shared drive and install it from there. If your system was upgraded from Windows 3.1, your CD-ROM may be using real-mode drivers, even if it came with both. This is because the upgrade process usually preserves the old drivers. Check the disks and documentation that came with your CD-ROM to see if it supports Windows 95. If so, install the Windows 95 software driver and see if VJ++ can install. Otherwise, your only choice for now is to upgrade your CD-ROM drive to a newer model with protected-mode drivers.
