Hard Disk Compatibility in Windows 3.0 (62351)

SUMMARY

This article outlines the hard disk controller and drive configurations that are supported under Microsoft Windows version 3.0, and the steps that may be taken to maximize Windows version 3.0 hard disk compatibility.

Windows version 3.0 supports the hard disk controller and drive combinations that were available as standard configurations in the supported computers at the time Windows version 3.0 was initially shipped (May 22, 1990). Supported computers are machines specifically listed in the "Windows 3.0 Hardware Compatibility List." A copy of the compatibility list is included in the Windows version 3.0 retail package.

Additionally, a supported controller and drive combination should be partitioned exclusively with the FDISK utility included with the DOS supplied with the supported computer. Third-party partitioning utilities may cause problems.

MS-DOS and PC-DOS versions up to 4.00 do not support hard disks with more than 1024 cylinders. Windows version 3.0 requires MS-DOS to be compatible with your hardware, so it shares this limitation. Some nonstandard hard disk controllers attempt to translate a hard disk with more than 1024 cylinders into an apparent 1024-cylinder hard disk. Many such controllers do not provide 100-percent compatibility.

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Real or Standard Mode Compatibility

Windows version 3.00 real and standard modes should not experience problems with any type of hard disk controller and drive combination. If you experience hard disk problems under real or standard modes, this points to a bad controller, one that is not compatible with your other hardware, or some other cause. Contact your hardware manufacturer for further assistance in this case.

Enhanced Mode Compatibility

Windows version 3.00 enhanced mode without SMARTDrive loaded supports only standard ST506 and ESDI controllers. To use enhanced mode with SCSI or other nonstandard devices, it is necessary to load SMARTDrive for proper operation.

When enhanced mode detects the presence of SMARTDrive, it directs all disk access requests from itself and all applications through SMARTDrive. This enables SMARTDrive to function effectively as a double-buffering hard disk device driver, and eliminates most compatibility problems.

Even if SMARTDrive is loaded, in some configurations you may experience hard disk access errors such as the following:

Cannot Read from Drive C:

Cannot Write to Drive C:

Drive C: Not Ready Error

In this case, you should insert the following line under the [386ENH] section of the SYSTEM.INI configuration text file:

[386Enh]

VirtualHDIRQ=off

This line is not case-sensitive. Synonyms for "off" include "no", "0", and "false".

If you are still experiencing hard disk problems under Windows version 3.0 with SMARTDrive loaded and virtualHDIRQ=off, contact your manufacturer for further assistance. This is the highest level of hard disk compatibility that may be achieved with Windows version 3.0.