Windows NT 3.1 Services for NetWare

This is probably the most stable and functional NetWare client for Windows NT 3.1. It doesn't support login scripts but neither does the Novell client.

Before installing this both the NWLink IPX/SPX Compatible Transport and Service Pack 1 must be installed.

Making the Installation Disk

I'm logged in as an Administrator-level user on Windows NT 3.1. Both Service Pack 3 and the NWLink IPX/SPX Compatible Transport are installed. NWCS needs to be installed from the root of a drive so floppy disk is probably easiest.

Its distributed as a pair of executables that will produce a pair of floppy disks when run. Thankfully both of these fit on a floppy disk making them easy to get on to the machine

Both files copied to C drive.

Insert a blank formatted floppy disk in drive A, then from a console run NCCI_1.EXE A: and the files will be extracted.

Then run NCCI_2.EXE A:. You can use the same disk you used previously.

Installation

Insert the client floppy disk created earlier and open the control panel!

Then open the Network control panel.

Click on Add Software...

Choose <Other> Requires disk from manufacturer and click Continue.

Click OK.

Files are copied...

Installed! Click OK.

Configuring happens...

And then we reboot. Remove the floppy disk if you used one and click Yes.

Back at the login screen. Nothing different.

After login you're asked to pick a preferred server. Pick one and click OK.

Installed!

Servers appear in the map drive dialog.

Drives map fine.

Nothing interesting in properties

A new Control Panel icon

CSNW settings. The Gateway button seen in the Beta 2 version of this screen is gone - thats now a Windows Server only feature.

The NWC Overview button gives you a nice help file

And thats about all there is to see!

Disclaimer & Comments

I'm not a netware expert, don't have any of those fancy novell certifications and have never administred a netware network; I've just played with it at home occasionally since 2004 or so. Email me if you've got any suggestions or corrections for this page or any extra information you think is worth including here. My address is david at this websites domain name (without the www bit of course).

ZXnet