KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q119742: Using 32-Bit Disk Access with Quantum LPS540 IDE Disk Drives

Article: Q119742
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 21-SEP-1999

3.10 3.11
WINDOWS
kbhw kberrmsg

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

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11 
- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you start Windows in 386 enhanced mode with 32-bit disk access enabled on a
Quantum LPS-540AT hard disk drive, the following error message occurs:

  The Microsoft Windows 32-bit disk driver (WDCTRL) validation failed at phase
  03, 3B.

CAUSE
=====

Quantum Corporation has confirmed that the LPS-540AT has 1120 cylinders, 59
sectors, and 16 heads, which makes this drive incompatible with the 32-bit disk
access device driver included with Windows and Windows for Workgroups (WDCTRL).
This does not affect 32-bit file access (VFAT) in Windows for Workgroups 3.11.


WORKAROUND
==========

Quantum Corporation recommends setting the BIOS parameters to the following:

  1024  cylinders
  16    heads
  63    sectors

NOTE: There is also a file available from the Quantum bulletin board service
(BBS) called IDE_DOS.EXE. This self-extracting compressed file contains an
MS-DOS-level utility that allows the drive to be formatted to 540 megabytes.
Also included is the file IDE_WIN.386, which is the Quantum replacement for
WDCTRL.

For more information about this procedure, contact Quantum Corporation Technical
Support.

Additional query words: 3.10 3.1 3.11 32bitdiskaccess fastdisk bda

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbWFWSearch 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.