Floppy Drives with WordPerfect 5.1 and Windows

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

WordPerfect version 5.1 may cause erratic floppy drive performance or violated system integrity errors when running under Microsoft Windows. Floppy drive problems can be caused by the following features:

• WordPerfect's cursor speed enhancement feature
• Saving a file using WordPerfect's F10 function key

MORE INFORMATION

WordPerfect's Cursor Speed Enhancement Feature

WordPerfect testing has confirmed that the cursor speed enhancement feature included with WordPerfect version 5.1 can be linked to floppy drive problems. This feature adjusts the system clock timer, which also seems to affect floppy drive performance. It is suggested that you use the /NC switch to disable this feature for troubleshooting these problems in enhanced mode.

Saving a File Using WordPerfect's F10 Function Key

You may have difficulty saving a file to the floppy drive if you use the F10 (save) key in WordPerfect version 5.1 when you are in Microsoft Windows version 3.0 enhanced mode. You may receive an error message stating that WordPerfect version 5.1 cannot read the drive.

Possible Workarounds

1. Exit Windows and restart Windows, then return to WordPerfect.

2. Open the CONFIG.SYS file in WordPerfect. Make sure HIMEM.SYS is loaded prior to any other device drivers in the CONFIG.SYS file, as in the following example:

         DEVICE=C:\HIMEM.SYS
         FILES=30
         BUFFERS=30
         DEVICE=C:\DRIVERNAME
   

3. Add the following lines to the [386ENH] section of the SYSTEM.INI:

         HighFloppyReads=NO
         EMMExclude=E000-EFFF
   

   This workaround appears to correct a conflict between the way WordPerfect 5.1 makes floppy drive calls and some system's shadow RAM addressing.

4. Save your changes and exit by pressing the F7 key in WordPerfect. You can still designate the desired drive with the F7 key. (Verify that the disk has been formatted and is readable at the MS-DOS prompt.)

The product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.