The drive is using MSDOS compatibility mode, how do I fix this?

The drive is using MSDOS compatibility mode, how do I fix this?

Since Windows 95® and Windows 98® includes all the necessary drivers for your drive to run in 32-bit mode, some other driver is loading in conflict. Usually, it is a Windows 3.1 32-bit disc driver or a non-Windows 95/98 compatible driver for an ATA card, SCSI card, or other peripheral.

To fix the problem, you must remove the incompatible driver. There are several things to check. Each step along the way could be the step that fixes the problem. If you change something based on the instructions below, save the change and reboot your system. If your system comes up in 32-bit mode, you are done. If not, go on to the next step.

Caution: Editing system files is risky. We strongly recommend you back up your hard drive before proceeding.

SYSTEM.INI

1.Using a text editor like Notepad or Wordpad, open your SYSTEM.INI file from the C:\WINDOWS directory.

2.Verify the following line is in the [386Enh] section: 32BitDiskAccess=On
If so, go on to the next step. If not, add the line or edit =On to =Off appropriately. Save and exit the SYSTEM.INI file and reboot.

3.Look for one or more of the following device statements:
device=mh32bit.386
device=seg32bit.386
These are Windows 3.1 32-bit drivers and are incompatible with Windows 95/98. To disable them, place a semicolon (;) in front of each line, rebooting after each line if you wish. Deleting lines in a system file is not recommended. Save and exit the SYSTEM.INI file and reboot.

4.Look for the following statement:
virtualhdirq=false
If there, place a semicolon (;) at the beginning of the line. Save and exit the SYSTEM.INI file and reboot.
CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT

5.Using the same text editor, open your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files one at a time and look for the following line:
device=dmdrvr.bin
If there, you are running an extremely outdated version of Disk Manager® that is not Windows 95/98 compliant. The latest version of Disk Manager software can be downloaded as part of the DiscWizard software package.

6.Other device drivers loaded in CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT can prevent Windows 95/98 from entering 32-bit mode. Try remarking (typing "REM " at the beginning of the line) the driver lines and rebooting Windows 95/98 one driver at a time until Windows 95/98 comes up in 32-bit mode. When you find the offending line, contact that file's originator for a Windows 95/98 compatible version.

DEVICE MANAGER

7.Look in Device Manager (right click on My Computer and choose Properties) for yellow exclamation points (!). Remove any device with an offending exclamation point and reboot.

8.Make sure the appropriate drivers (if any...) are loaded to support the EIDE controller card.

9.Check with the Windows 95/98 Hardware Compatibility List or the manufacturer of the hard drive (s) and controller card to ensure that all of the peripherals are Windows 95/98 compatible.

MICROSOFT

10.If you are still not running in 32-bit mode at this point, some other driver or conflict exists in your system that is preventing Windows 95/98 from entering 32-bit mode. We suggest you contact Microsoft for help with those issues.

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