AST RESEARCH, INC.        TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1548          8-16-96  

 
 
TITLE:  Ascentia P, Win3.xx, 32 Bit Disk Access
 
 
SUMMARY 

   The Ascentia P and Ascentia J systems may report an error message 
   when starting Windows 3.xx.

   This issue applies to all Ascentia P and Ascentia J systems.


ISSUE 
 
   When enabling 32-bit disk access under Windows 3.xx on the 
   Ascentia P and Ascentia J, the following error may appear when 
   starting Windows 3.xx:

      "The Microsoft Windows 32-bit disk driver (WDCTRL) validation
      failed at phase 08, 02.  To continue starting Windows without 
      using the 32-bit disk driver, press any key."    


BACKGROUND 

   32 Bit Disk Access is not supported on the IBM drives used in the 
   Ascentia P and Ascentia J under Windows 3.xx.  See the NOTES 
   section below.


ACTION 

   To disable 32BitDiskAcces, edit the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM.INI file
   as follows:

   1. Using the DOS Edit command, open the SYSTEM.INI file.

   2. Under the [386Enhanced] header of the SYSTEM.INI file, find the
      entry "32 Bit Disk Access=ON". 

   3. Change the ON to OFF.
 
   4. Save your changes and exit to the DOS prompt.

   5. Restart Windows.    
 
 
NOTES 

   IBM is the major supplier of hard drives used in the Ascentia P 
   and the Ascentia J systems.  They researched the issue of 
   32 Bit Disk Access under Windows 3.xx extensively and determined 
   that there is some possibility of data loss in enabling this type
   of disk access.  They also determined that the performance gain for
   32 Bit Disk Access was very minor.  For these reasons, they have 
   chosen not to support 32 Bit Disk Access under this operating system
   on these hard drives. 
 
   For further information, see Microsoft's web page at:

      www.microsoft.com/kb/peropsys/windows/q82418.htm


TAN 001336SV
 
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