DOCUMENT:Q259428 08-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Manipulating Removable-Media Partitions Depletes Drive Letters PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0,4.0 SP6a OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ============================================================================= 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 2002.