Windows Err Msg: The Microsoft Windows 32-Bit Disk...

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11
• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

When you start Microsoft Windows or Windows for Workgroups, you receive one of the following error messages:

• The Microsoft Windows 32-bit disk driver (WDCTRL) cannot be loaded. There is unrecognizable disk software installed on this computer.

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• The Microsoft Windows 32-bit disk driver (WDCTRL) cannot be loaded. There is a conflict with another virtual device.

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• This application has tried to access the hard disk in a way that is incompatible with the Windows 32-bit disk access feature (WDCTRL). This may cause the system to become unstable.

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• The Microsoft Windows 32-bit disk driver (WDCTRL) cannot be loaded. There is unrecognizable disk software installed on this computer. The address that MS-DOS uses to communicate with the hard disk has been changed. Some software, such as disk-caching software, changes this address. If you aren't running such software, you should run a virus-detection program to make sure the computer is virus free. To continue starting Windows without using the 32-bit disk driver, press any key.

CAUSE

The above error messages can be displayed when:

• The system is infected with a virus.

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• You are running the PC Cillin anti-virus program.

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• The Device=*WDCTRL entry occurs more than once in [386Enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI file.

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• You are using a third-party replacement for WDCTRL and you have reinstalled Windows.

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• You are loading a real-mode driver in the CONFIG.SYS file that alters the manner in which Windows monitors and controls INT 13h.

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• Using a QD6500A VLB controller that was installed in Windows 3.1 and then installing WFW 3.11. After the install there will be an *int13, WDCTRL, and QDICTRL.386 in [386Enh] section of system.ini. QDICTRL.386 alone breaks the IFSHLP.SYS. Remark out the QDICTRL.386 line and use the WDCTRL. Leave the QD6500.SYS line in the config.sys.

MORE INFORMATION

The System Is Infected with a Virus

During startup, if Windows detects that a particular undocumented interrupt has been hooked by a "program" it does not recognize, Windows displays one of the above messages. Quite often, the program it does not recognize is a virus. The Stoned, Bloomington, and Form viruses can cause these errors.

To correct this problem, run virus-detection software to detect and remove any viruses from the hard disk drive. The Anit-CMOSa virus will also cause this; McAfee v2.14 will find, but not cure it.

You Are Running the PC Cillin Anti-Virus Program

PC Cillin anti-virus software can cause these error messages. For more information on PC Cillin and problems with Windows, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   pc cillin and windows

for WDCTRL and You Have Reinstalled Windows

If you have a Western Digital Caviar 2540 hard disk drive (or another model that uses WDCDRV.386 as a replacement for WDCTRL) and you reinstall Windows to the same directory, Windows puts WDCTRL in the SYSTEM.INI file but does not remove the third-party driver. Removing the DEVICE=*WDCTRL entry from the SYSTEM.INI file corrects this problem.

You are Loading a Real-Mode Driver in the CONFIG.SYS File That

Alters the Manner in Which Windows Monitors and Controls INT 13h

Real-mode drivers that manipulate the way in which INT13 calls are handled may prevent the 32-bit disk access driver from loading.