32-Bit Disk Access Can Degrade Hard Drive Performance

 Last reviewed: November 22, 1994
Article ID: Q97041
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Disabling 32-bit disk access can improve hard drive performance if you have a system BIOS or hard drive controller designed and optimized specifically for your hard drive.

MORE INFORMATION

Some hard drive controllers have built-in optimizing routines that are similar to those that the 32-Bit Disk Access system uses. In these cases, 32-bit disk access can degrade hard drive performance because some optimization routiness may occur multiple times for each disk operation. This results in slower overall disk access.

Consult your hardware documentation to see if your hard drive controller or BIOS provides any built-in disk access optimizations that may make the use of 32-bit disk access unnecessary. Check your Windows documentation for the advantages of using 32-bit disk access.

KBCategory: kbhw kb3rdparty kbenv
KBSubcategory: win31 wfw wfwg winmem
Additional reference words: 3.1 3.11 3.10 win32

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 22, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.