Knowledge Base

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

Article ID: 119742

Article Last Modified on 11/17/2003

Microsoft Windows 3.1 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows 3.11 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.2

This article was previously published under Q119742

3.10 3.11 WINDOWS kbhw kberrmsg

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: KB119742