Disk Controllers that Are Compatible with 32-Bit Disk Access

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Microsoft Windows 3.1 ships with one virtual hard-drive controller device: WDCTRL. WDCTRL supports hard-drive controllers that are compatible with the Western Digital WD1003 standard. According to Western Digital, it has two hard-drive controller cards that are compatible with Windows 3.1 and the 32- Bit Disk Access feature.

MORE INFORMATION

WD1006 Controller Card

The Western Digital WD1006 hard-drive controller is compatible with the WD1003 hard-drive controller in some cases. If the card is configured correctly, it should work correctly with the 32-Bit Disk Access feature.

WD1006 has a jumper setting to specify whether the drive format is compatible with the WD1003 standard. If the drive has more than eight heads, the drive is slightly incompatible with the WD1003 standard when used with the WD1006 hard-drive controller card. This is due to the way the WD1006 numbers the heads differently than the WD1003. Using a jumper to connect pins seven and eight will correct this problem. This problem does not occur if the hard drive has less than eight heads.

Some original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of this hard-drive controller may not follow the same jumper settings. Consult your documentation or call your manufacturer before changing these jumper settings.

WD1007A ESDI Controller Card

According to Western Digital, the WD1007A ESDI controller card is 100-percent compatible with the WD1003 controller, and can be used with the 32-Bit Disk Access feature in Windows 3.1.

The Western Digital products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.