    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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