| This is a follow up to messages you may have received about
Video for Windows 1.1e (VFW) causing problems on Windows 95.
Bottom line:
The problems that people were attributing to installing VFW
on Win95 were due to having old video drivers.. *NOT* VFW.
However, since Win95 comes with a 32-bit version of VFW installed,
you should still avoid installing anything called
Video for Windows 1.1e (16-bit software) on your Win95 system...
or else you may experience problems in running *future*
32-bit video applications.
DETAIL ABOUT THE PROBLEM:
As it turns out, the problems were NOT due to incompatibilities
between Video for Windows 1.1e and Windows 95... they were due
to some systems not having the most current video drivers.
Both Linda Marsh and the SES Cornerstone team have apparently
instaleld Video for Windows 1.1e on Win95 without any
*apparent* problems...
However, you need to be aware that, installing Video for Windows 1.1e
on Windows 95 is:
a) not necessary (Win95 comes with VFW installed)
I have been able to run both the video portions of the
SES Cornerstone workbench, and a multimedia course called
ABC's of Multimedia (both of which use VFW), without
installing VFW 1.1e... the version of VFW that was
installed with Win95 works fine.
b) not recommended
If you do install VFW 1.1e on your Win95
system, you will be replacing your 32-bit version
of VFW with an older 16-bit version of that software.
Older 16-bit video applications will run, but you will
probably experience problems if/when newer 32-bit video
applications come out.
HOW TO AVOID INSTALLING VFW 1.1e on Win95:
If, in the course of installing MM applications, you run across
a message box that says it will be installing VFW1.1e, you can
use the following procedure to abort that installation:
1. Click OK on the message box (if it's your only choice).
This will launch the SETUP.EXE for Video for Windows,
which will display a dialog box that asks if you want to
Continue or Exit the installation.
2. Click on Exit.
Another message box displays to confirm the Exit.
3. Click on Exit again.
The files for whatever you were installing should be installed
and will run with the Video for Windows software that is already
on your PC.
TO ABORT THE INSTALLATION LESS GRACEFULLY:
When you see a message saying that Video for Windows is about
to be installed:
1. Press CTRL-ALT-DELETE to display the Task dialog box.
2. Select the task called SETUP (or possibly, INSTALL)
3. Click on End Task.
4. Confirm that you want to end the task.
|
| From: SUPER::DEMON::TARQUINIO "Paul Dyer Tarquinio 11-Apr-1996 1520"
11-APR-1996 16:58:21.89
To: @IMM_FORUM
CC: @BONNIE.DIS
Subj: Update on recent PC problems encountered during MMCBT delivery
Hi,
This mail is a summary of the results and recommendations for
my recent testing regarding the following problems/isues:
1) MMTASK error (when running CBIquick on certain systems)
2) MPLAYER error (When running Microsoft RLE compressed AVI files)
3) Video for Windows 1.1 e problems on Windows 95
Contact me if you have any questions or if you have
any additional information to share.
Paul
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MMTASK error
------------
This error: MMTASK error
Details: MMTASK error caused a general protection
fault in module GDI.EXE
Occurrence: On Windows 95 systems when running CBIquick software
from IconAuthor courseware.
Side effects: After occurrence of error, any AVI files will display
error and will not run. Rebooting system does not
fix problem.
System Fix: Reboot, install Video for Windows 1.1e. All non CBIquick
AVI files will run without problems. CBIquick
invocation will cause error again.
Test results: On Celebris system where problem occurred, updating
to latest video drivers fixed problem.
On lab PC (590 Pentium) updating drivers did not fix
problem. AMT.Corp. indicated that other customers
have had this problem. They have had success with
following recognition:
Under SETUP- system properties-Performance-Graphics,
change Hardware acceleration from Full to None.
They have found this suggestion fixes problem on
all systems they encountered. ( This did not fix 590 system)
However, when I reinstalled Windows 95 to different directory
to create clean testbed for Windows 95, the Windows NT
MMCBT course with CBIquick exercises ran fine with
no problems. Since no other systems at TAY2 have
encountered this MMTASK error, I'm assuming there
is some unique problem with the Windows 95 setup.
(I'm not planning to spend any more time on this unless
problem reoccurs.)
Recommendation: If problem occurs, check system for latest video drivers.
Also try hardware acceleration modification.
MPlayer error
-------------
This error: Mplayer error
Details: Mplayer error caused a general protection
fault in module GDI.EXE
Occurrence: On Windows 95 systems ( that have never installed Video for
Windows) when running Microsoft RLE compressed
AVI files. This problem does not occur on Windows 3.1.
NOTE: RLE graphic files display with no problems.
System Fix: After occurrence of error, any AVI files will display
error and will not run. Rebooting system clears up
problem until you try invoking another Microsoft RLE AVI.
Test results: This error occurred on DECpc LPx 560 (2 systems) and
on Pentium 590 Windows 95 clean testbed. Testing
indicates this error will occur on any system running
Windows 95 that has not installed Video for Windows.
On these systems, properties function on the AVI file
indicates video format is unknown. However in preview
option, file runs fine without errors. Only when you
invoke file using double click option does Mplayer
error occur.
Installing Video for Windows 1.1e will fix problem.
However, installation of Video for Windows is not
suppose to be necessary for Windows 95 systems. Also,
Microsoft contacts have confirmed that Video for Windows
installation modifies some Windows 95 files/attributes
which may ( or may not) cause problems. If problems
occur, users can reinstall Windows 95, selecting option:
'Restore windows files that are changed or corrupted'.
This installation could take 20-30 minutes; all previous
settings remain the same, so pretty straightforward
(but time consuming and inconvenient). However,
after this install, all Video for Windows files and
Windows 95 will function properly.
Recommendation: Don't use Microsoft RLE compression format. Indeo
or Microsoft video 1 work fine and are recognized
by Windows 95. For hotline calls for courses already
on the shelf, installation of Video for Windows is quickest
fix. Since Microsoft isn't communicating that
Video for Windows installation could be an issue,
I would recommend Video for Windows install.
Video for Windows 1.1 e problems on Windows 95
----------------------------------------------
Microsoft Windows 95 support contact indicated that
installing Video for Windows on Windows 95 systems makes
changes that could cause unwanted side effects.
Note: Most developers have Video for Windows installed on
their Windows 95 environments and haven't noticed
any problems. (That's the good news :) )
The contact recommended not installing Video for Windows.
If Video for Windows has already been installed, then
he recommends reinstallation of Windows 95 with option:
'Restore windows files that are changed or corrupted'
Recommendation: All release engineering testing should
occur on clean Windows 95 systems (without Video for Windows)
or other installed software that may have unintended
side effects. The support contact at Microsoft provided
a method where we can create clean Windows 95 environments
very easily and switch back and forth between environments.
I will send future mail with process to set up environment.
|