KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q85288: Disk Controllers that Are Compatible with 32-Bit Disk Access

Article: Q85288
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 27-SEP-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

Microsoft Windows 3.1 ships with one virtual hard-drive controller device:
WDCTRL. WDCTRL supports hard-drive controllers that are compatible with the
Western Digital WD1003 standard. According to Western Digital, it has two
hard-drive controller cards that are compatible with Windows 3.1 and the 32- Bit
Disk Access feature.

MORE INFORMATION
================

WD1006 Controller Card
----------------------

The Western Digital WD1006 hard-drive controller is compatible with the WD1003
hard-drive controller in some cases. If the card is configured correctly, it
should work correctly with the 32-Bit Disk Access feature.

WD1006 has a jumper setting to specify whether the drive format is compatible
with the WD1003 standard. If the drive has more than eight heads, the drive is
slightly incompatible with the WD1003 standard when used with the WD1006
hard-drive controller card. This is due to the way the WD1006 numbers the heads
differently than the WD1003. Using a jumper to connect pins seven and eight will
correct this problem. This problem does not occur if the hard drive has less
than eight heads.

Some original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of this hard-drive controller may not
follow the same jumper settings. Consult your documentation or call your
manufacturer before changing these jumper settings.

WD1007A ESDI Controller Card
----------------------------

According to Western Digital, the WD1007A ESDI controller card is 100-percent
compatible with the WD1003 controller, and can be used with the 32-Bit Disk
Access feature in Windows 3.1.

The Western Digital products included here are manufactured by vendors
independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding
these products' performance or reliability.

Additional query words: fastdisk 3.1 3.11 3.10 WD1003 7 8 wd 1003 1006 1007 disk hard-disk hard drive

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin310 kbWin311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.