Using Iomega ATAPI Zip Drives with Windows NT

Last reviewed: July 14, 1997
Article ID: Q154094

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Windows NT cannot access the disk in the ATAPI version of an Iomega Zip drive.

CAUSE

Windows NT identifies the ATAPI version of the Iomega Zip drive as a floppy disk drive and assigns it the first available floppy disk drive letter (usually B). This problem does not occur with the IDE version of the Iomega Zip drive as Windows NT properly identifies it.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the hotfix below, or wait for the next service pack.

This hotfix has been posted to the following Internet location:

   ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/nt40/
   hotfixes-postSP3/zip-fix

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.

MORE INFORMATION

The simplest way to tell the difference between the IDE and ATAPI versions of the Zip drive is the fact that the IDE version works under Windows NT, while the ATAPI version does not work without the hotfix. You can also determine the type of Zip drive by examining the following registry key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\Scsi\ScsiPort0\ScsiBus0
      \Target ID X\Logical Unit ID 0

   NOTE: The Target ID is 1 or 2 for devices on the primary EIDE channel
   and 3 or 4 for devices on the secondary EIDE channel.

In this key you see an Identifier value which includes information on the device such as the manufacturer, model number, and firmware revision. IDE and ATAPI Zip drives have identical information in this value except the firmware revision has a different format depending on the drive type:

The ATAPI drive firmware appears in the following format (note that the letter follows the number):

      IOMEGA  ZIP 100         23.D

The IDE firmware number has the opposite format (note that the letter precedes the number):
```
      IOMEGA  ZIP 100         B.29
```

Additional query words: 4.00 prodnt
Keywords : kbbug4.00 kbfile kbfix4.00 kbhw ntdriver nthw NTSrvWkst
Version : 4.0
Platform : winnt
Hardware : ALPHA x86
Issue type : kbbug
Resolution Type : kbfix

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Last reviewed: July 14, 1997
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