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Q259428: Manipulating Removable-Media Partitions Depletes Drive Letters

Article: Q259428
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:4.0,4.0 SP6a
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix
Last Modified: 08-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP6a 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0, 4.0 SP6a 
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SYMPTOMS
========

A partition can be created, formatted and a drive letter be assigned for
removable media such as Jazz drive and Zip drive media from Disk Administrator.
If the partition is deleted, created again, and a new drive letter is assigned,
the previous drive letter is not made available until after you restart your
computer. Note that this problem only occurs on removable media.

CAUSE
=====

This problem can occur because drive letters are committed when assigned, but
are not being released when another one is assigned to the same partition.


RESOLUTION
==========

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to
correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to
computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive
additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem,
Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows NT 4.0 service pack that
contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services
to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services
phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft
Web site:

  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls
may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific
update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to
additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific
update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or
later:

  Date      Time                 Size    File name     Platform
  -------------------------------------------------------------
04/06/2000  07:17p             176,912   Windisk.exe   x86
04/06/2000  07:16p             254,736   Windisk.exe   Alpha



STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400sp6 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTW400SP6a
Version           : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP6a
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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