    AST RESEARCH, INC.         TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0666                  02-13-91

                          NOVELL COMPSURF WITH ESDI DRIVES

    Problems may occur when running Novell's Compsurf Utility with AST's OEM
    version of the WD1007 ESDI controller (AST part number 240018-001) and the
    Maxtor 4380 320 MB hard drive (AST part number 230055-320).  Examples of some
    errors are as follows:

        - Abend:  Disk Channel 0 could not reset controller

        - Unable to access Sector 14

        - Unable to read bad block table

    To resolve the above problems, you must do the following:

        - Do a low-level format using the manufacturer's utility software (i.e.,
          HDFORMAT.EXE for an AST drive).

        - Run Novell utility ESDIDISK.EXE.  (Do not attempt more than three
          passes.)

    NOTE:  The Novell utility ESDIDISK.EXE is available on Novell's Bulletin
           Board (NETWIRE) and is listed as ESDIDR.ZIP in Library 6, Forum A.
           This utility will:

           - Check track zero.

           - Scan the hard drive surface.

           - Put the COMPSURF "stamp" on the drive.

           - Create a bad block table that Novell can use.