Err Msg: Invalid Device Request Reading Drive...

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q90784
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

If you use SuperStor version 1.3 by AddStor with the Microsoft Windows 3.1 SMARTDRV.EXE file, you may receive the following error message: 

   Invalid device request reading drive c
and your system may stop responding (hang).

CAUSE

SuperStor loads a device driver called SSTORDRV.SYS in the CONFIG.SYS file, and optionally loads DEVSWAP.COM, which swaps the physical drive letter for the compressed drive.

Versions of SuperStor earlier than 1.3h do not work with SMARTDrive version 4.0. When SMARTDrive loads, it "unloads" the SuperStor driver, making the compressed drives unavailable. Versions 1.3h and 1.3i correct this problem.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the following steps:

  1. Restart your computer with a bootable floppy disk in drive A.

  2. Create a CONFIG.SYS file on the bootable floppy that contains the SuperStor driver, SSTORDRV.SYS.

  3. Restart your computer again using the bootable floppy disk in drive A. This should allow you to access the compressed volume of your SuperStor drive.

  4. Open the AUTOEXEC.BAT file in a text editor and remove the SMARTDRV.EXE line.

MORE INFORMATION

SuperStor is a disk-compression program, similar to Stacker, that can increase the storage capacity of hard, floppy, and virtual disks.

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

KBCategory: kb3rdparty kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.10 system disk add store super stor

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.