GSI IDE Controller Forces Real-Mode Drivers

 Last reviewed: January 25, 1996
Article ID: Q126356
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you install a GSI IDE controller in a computer running Windows 95, protected-mode IDE controller support may not be loaded.

CAUSE

The GSI IDE controller BIOS forces you to remove hard disks on the primary controller in the computer's CMOS settings. Windows 95 Setup does not always detect the GSI controller.

RESOLUTION

To use a protected-mode IDE controller driver with a GSI IDE controller, follow these steps:

  1. In Control Panel, double-click the Add New Hardware icon.

  2. Follow the instructions in the Add New Hardware Wizard. Let the wizard detect the new controller automatically and install the driver.

MORE INFORMATION

This problem has been confirmed to occur with the following IDE controllers:

  • GSI model 4C
  • GSI model 18
  • GSI model 21V

GSI states that with a primary hard disk controller, the hard disk must be listed as type 1 in the computer's CMOS settings for their controller to work.

GSI also states that if there is any device on the secondary IDE controller, the CMOS settings must not list the hard disk drives at all.

To determine whether Windows 95 is using a protected-mode IDE controller driver, follow these steps:

  1. Use the right mouse button to click My Computer, and then click Properties on the menu that appears.

  2. Click the Performance tab. If your computer is using a protected-mode driver, the status for File System reads "32-bit."

Note that the File System status is intended to represent whether both protected-mode IDE controller support (FastDisk or 32-bit disk access) and 32-bit file access (VFAT) is being provided. VFAT is always provided in Windows 95, so the file system operates entirely in 32-bit mode if protected-mode IDE controller support is provided.

KBCategory: kbhw kbsetup
KBSubcategory: win95 diskmem
Additional reference words: 95

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Last reviewed: January 25, 1996
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