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#: 19150 S1/General [Win]
03-Jul-90 21:44:31
Sb: #Win3.0 disk problem
Fm: MS SysOp Runnoe Connally 76701,144
To: All
The Microsoft Windows development team, working closely with several hardware
and software vendors, has identified two rare scenarios that might result in
loss or corruption of data. The scenarios involve using third-party
disk-partitioning software with Microsoft's SMARTDrive disk caching utility. We
have shipped several hundred thousand copies of Windows 3.0 and have only 12
customers with verified problems.
Microsoft Windows 3.0 itself works fine on these systems. The conflict arises
between the disk caching utility included with Windows called "SmartDrive" and
the listed third-party disk- partitioning software. Windows 3.0 is fully
functional without the optional disk caching utility.
SYSTEMS THAT MIGHT BE AT RISK
-----------------------------
Scenario 1
----------
Your system IS at risk if:
* You are using THIRD-PARTY disk positioning software, such
as those listed below AND
* A hard disk on your system has more than 1024 cylinders, AND
* You are using Microsoft Windows' SMARTDrive disk caching utility
This scenario can only occur if you are running third-party disk partitioning
software, because the DOS Fdisk partitioning software does not support disks
that have more than 1024 cylinders.
Scenario 2
----------
Your system MIGHT be at risk if:
* You are using THIRD-PARTY disk positioning software, such
as those listed below AND
* Your system contains a hard disk whose type is not directly
supported by the system's ROM BIOS AND
* You are using Microsoft Windows' SMARTDrive AND
* You are using DOS version 3.30 or higher
The risk probability is greater if your system was customized with
off-the-shelf parts. Name brand computers ship with ROM BIOS versions that
support the hard drives installed by the manufacturer.
-------------------- *** Continued on the next message ***
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#: 19153 S1/General [Win]
03-Jul-90 21:52:31
Sb: #19150-#Win3.0 disk problem
Fm: MS SysOp Runnoe Connally 76701,144
To: MS SysOp Runnoe Connally 76701,144 (X)
*** Continued from previous message ***
DETERMINING THE RISK
--------------------
Below is a list of known disk partitioning systems which when used in
conjunction with SMARTDrive pose a risk.
Each software package uses a device= line in the CONFIG.SYS file in your root
directory. The device= entry tells your system that the software exists.
Open your CONFIG.SYS file with any text editor and see if one of the following
device= lines exists:
SOFTWARE: Disk Manager from Ontrack Computer Systems
CONFIG.SYS device=DMDRVR.BIN
SOFTWARE: SpeedStor from Storage Dimensions
CONFIG.SYS: device=SSTOR.SYS or device=HARDRIVE.SYS
SOFTWARE: InnerSpace from Priam Systems
CONFIG.SYS: device=EDVR.SYS
SOFTWARE: Vfeatures Deluxe from Golden Bow Systems
CONFIG.SYS: device=FIXT_DRV.SYS
NOTE: At the end of this communication you'll find a procedure for using Disk
Manager to diagnose the risk. Use that procedure if you have Disk Manager by
Ontrack.
REMOVING THE RISK
-----------------
If you've identified your system at risk, you can either remove SMARTDrive or
repartition your hard disk using the DOS Fdisk utility instead of third part
disk partitioning software.
To remove SMARTDrive from your system:
1. Open your CONFIG.SYS file with any text editor.
2. Delete the following line:
device=smartdrv.sys
3. Save the changes to CONFIG.SYS.
4. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to reboot your system (or turn off your
system and then turn it back on).
Microsoft is working on making SMARTDrive aware of these disk partitioning
packages, and will provide a free update to affected users in the near future.
If you have additional questions, contact Microsoft Product Support at (206)
454-2030.
*** Continued on the next message ***
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#: 19155 S1/General [Win]
03-Jul-90 22:00:51
Sb: #19153-Win3.0 disk problem
Fm: MS SysOp Runnoe Connally 76701,144
To: MS SysOp Runnoe Connally 76701,144 (X)
*** Continued from the previous message ***
IF YOU USE DISK MANAGER
-----------------------
The following procedure applies to Disk Manager users only. Use it
to determine if your system is at risk.
To determine if you have a hard drive with more than 1024 cylinders:
1. At the DOS prompt, invoke Disk Manager in manual mode by typing
"DM /M".
2. Type "C": to display the disk configuration.
3. If any of the disks displayed have an Actual Cylinder Count over
1024, you are at risk when using SMARTDrive.
To determine if your hard disk is not supported in the system BIOS:
1. At the DOS prompt, type "VER" to display the version of DOS you
are running. If it is earlier than version 3.30, you are not at
risk. Otherwise continue.
2. At the DOS prompt, invoke Disk Manager in manual mode by typing
"DM /M".
3. Type "C" to display the disk configuration.
4. If the display says Parameters Are Standard, you are not at risk.
Otherwise, if it says Parameters Are Replaced, continue.
5. For each disk in your system, compare the Setup Parameters to the
Actual Parameters displayed. If all of the disks displayed have a
Setup Head Count which matches the Actual Head Count, and a Setup
Sector Count which matches the Actual Sector Count, then you are
not at risk. Otherwise, that drive is referred to as "non-
homogeneous", and you will need to continue.
6. From the Disk Manager main menu, type "S" to select the non-
homogeneous drive.
7. Type "P" to see the partition table for this drive.
8. If the drive contains a partition with the Type "DOS", AND one of
more Type "Write-Read" or "Read-Only" partitions, then you are at
risk.
9. Repeat steps 6 through 8 for each non-homogeneous drive in your
system.
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