NOVELL 3.12:SEVERAL BIG PROBLEMS; LITTLE KNOWLEDGE

[bill500]

I have a token ring system running Windows 3.11, Netware 3.12 and educational software by Josten's(Now CompassLearning). The system was installed in 1994 and was in place when I arrived in 1998. School district dropped support agreement with Josten's in 2000.

Software has run without any problems until this past January, when it would not mount volume. I got that problem corrected using vrepair but we hit a wall in May when server displayed error message "low disk space". I determined that disk has 4MB free on 2GB drive but I know so little(nothing) about utility tools provided by Netware that we are stuck, not being able to move forward or back.

This crisis is compounded by problem that Netware is difficult to copy to another drive,lack of knowledge about how the three different software packages interface and exactly where they are located. I think Windows 3.11 is only loaded to the indvidual workstationss, netware is loaded on the server and Josten's is loaded on workstation #1. I call it that because an external CD-ROM is attached to it, that had to be used to install Josten's software(only software on CD-ROM) and server is really useless because everything has to be done from that workstation.

What I need to accomplish is install or copy the software that has to be on the server to a larger drive or a new server without using original software because I don't trust it and have no way to test it. The software packages by Powerquest that could perform the procedure don't support 3.12 in newer versions and older versions are impossible to locate.

The biggest problem is I don't have a clear picture of how the entire system works, which makes it difficult to decide what to do.

Can anyone provide some direction?

 

[salserocito]

Will you be configuring a new Server, in addition to the exiting one? Or will you be adding disk space to the existing Server? Either way would work.

If you add more disk space to the exiting Server, it is VERY important that you also install more memory! Server resources are directly proportional to the installed memory vs. amount of disk space.

If you go the new Server route, you could do a copy from one volume to the another. A new Server and Operating System would bring you up-to-date with the OS and offer a bit more versatility and much better performance.

As for backing up the Server, you could always use SBACKUP, which is provided with the NetWare OS.

Post any further questions you may have!

Good Luck!

 

[bill500]

Salserocito:

Thanks for tip about memory, didn't know that. Our original plan was to copy software to a new 4.5GB drive from old 2GB drive. However, the new drive configured the volume at 2GB instead of 4GB, which didn't solve our problem.

Apparently, we are going to have to reinstall the software to a larger drive so we have decided to buy a new server with a 9-10GB drive, 512MB and a two/three RAID backup system. My biggest concern is no manuels to provide guideline for installation and no real feel for the software. Is Netware difficult to install?

Could you confirm Netware 3.12 will not run on Windows 95/98. Any information you can provide is appreciated.

 

[jnew1999]

Bill500
Yes, Netware is difficult if you aren't used to it. No, it won't run on Windows. It is its own operating system. If you do not have a set of manuals I would not attempt this. Also, Netware 3.12 has an 8GB limit on hard drive size unless you download certain patches that are getting harder to find. I would stick with a 4 to 6GB HD and call someone local for help with the install. Surely there is someone in your vicinity with 3.12 knowledge.

 

[salserocito]

You will have a few things to focus on...

First off, If you are going to build and install a new NetWare Server, you will have to install AT LEAST NetWare v5.1, which is a completely different beast than NetWare v3.12. But, with NetWare v5.1, you will not have to worry about any drive or volume limitations and it performs MUCH better!

I'm assuming that the Software you are running, and all its files, are all within the same Directory structure? If so, you should be able to copy the Directory structure(s) between the Servers.

Hope this helps!

Good Luck!

 

[zedsded]

ive inherited administration to a netware 3.1.2 server, and my first three months was a nightmare. Netware is a "talkative" platform. And especially this version being old and all support is aahhh, i dunno....
ive proposed a win2k/msql server with my employer because i cant take the risks involve in netware (at least in my version and setup).
Good Luck!