PRB: Potential IDE Controller Conflict with Visual C++

• Microsoft Visual C++ for Windows, versions 1.5, 1.51, 1.52
• Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, versions 2.0, 2.1, 4.0, 5.0
• Microsoft FORTRAN Powerstation for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.0a
• Microsoft FORTRAN Powerstation for Windows NT, versions 1.0, 4.0

NOTE: This is assumed to apply, but has not been tested on Visual C++ versions 1.5x, 2.x, 4.x, or 5.0.

SYMPTOMS

Hard drives that hold more than 528 MB and that use a CMD chipset interface to an IDE controller cause Visual C++ and Fortran Powerstation to hang when using 32-bit disk access.

CAUSE

CMD supplies a driver for their IDE interface that conflicts with the development environment when using 32-bit disk access. This has been confirmed with Visual C++ version 1.5 and is believed to affect other versions.

RESOLUTION

Obtain a later driver from the CMD electronic bulletin board service (BBS) at (714) 454-1134, and turn off 32-bit access while using Visual C++. A later version of the driver will fix the problem completely. Please check the bulletin board for availability of later drivers.

If this does not solve the problem, the only option is to reformat in a configuration that is less than or equal to 528 MB of storage space on your hard disk.

NOTE: 1024 cylinders = 528 MB.

STATUS

This problem originally surfaced on an HP Quantum LP5540A drive that was formatted to 540 MB. Both HP and CMD have verified that this is a problem with CMD's driver.

NOTE: This has not been tested on Visual C++ versions 1.51, 1.52, 2.0, or 2.1.

MORE INFORMATION

You probably have a CMD chip set if one of the following is true:

1. You have the following in the SYSTEM.INI:

   Device = CMD640X.386 Device = CMDINT13.386

   -or-

2. You have the following in the CONFIG.SYS:

   Device = 640X.SYS [or 640X2.SYS - it depends on BIOS version]