NetDDE Share not setup during mvBase installation

During the installation of mvBase on Windows NT, a NetDDE share is registered with the NetDDE DSDM service (DDE Share Database Manager). This NetDDE share (mvBase$) is then used by the NetDDE service when the mvBase server and workstation components communicate.

In the case that neither the server nor workstation components are in the Started status, mvBase attempts to start them prior to registering the mvBase$ share. This startup attempt may fail if the server or workstation are in the disabled mode (as opposed to the manual or automatic startup modes). In this case, mvBase attempts to change the startup mode to automatic, then to start these two mvBase components as services.

On mvBase Release 1.1 and prior releases, it was still possible for the above function to fail silently. The installer may believe that mvBase was successfully installed, when in fact the necessary NetDDE share, mvBase$, has not been registered.

Attempting to use an mvBase client from another system would result in the client displaying the message Unable to connect. Nothing is logged to the Windows Event Log. Using clients (such as mv·TERM) on the same system as the one on which the server is running will be successful since that uses DDE not NetDDE.

This is logged as SPR # 493 and has been fixed for Release 1.2.

General Workaround

Re-install mvBase, but before installing it use the NT Service manager to ensure that both the NetDDE and the NetDDE DSDM services have (at least) manual or (preferably) automatic startup modes, and are in fact started.

Technical Support Workaround

After a failed install of mvBase, use the NT DDEShare utility to define the mvBase$ NetDDE share:

• all three Names defined as mvBase

• all three Topics defined as CHAT

• Permissions defined for Everyone as Read and Link

• Start as Service option selected (checked)