Installing Windows NT on a Hard Disk Configured with EZ-Drive (136039)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
This article was previously published under Q136039

SYMPTOMS

If you install Windows NT on a Conner hard drive configured with the EZ-Drive utility, one of the following error messages appear:
Hard drives are not usable by NT

-or-

NT cannot access the partitions prepared by DOS

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the Windows NT Compatibility Mode (also called Floppy Boot Protection in later versions of EZ-Drive) is not enabled for a computer using a hard drive that does not have logical block addressing (LBA) capability. If the system has LBA capability, then the EZ-Drive Overlay Manager does not need to be used.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, enable the Windows NT Compatibility Mode. To enable the mode, do the following:
  1. Backup the contents of your hard disk.
  2. Insert the EZ-Drive disk in the floppy drive and type "EZ" (without the quotation marks).
  3. From the menu list, select Windows NT Compatibility Mode.
  4. Save and exit the EZ-Drive utility.
  5. Reboot the computer. You do not need to repartition or reformat the hard disk. If you wish to remove the EZ-Drive Overlay Manager once it has been installed and the LBA options enabled in the CMOS, type the following at the MS-DOS prompt:

    FDISK /MBR

For more information, contact Micro House Technical Support at (303) 443-3389.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/16/2003
Keywords:kb3rdparty KB136039
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.