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_\ \ \ Summary of the Seagate 32-bit Windows disc access driver--
(_)_/_/ SEG32BIT.386
Copyright (c) 1995-1998 by Seagate Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.
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SEG32BIT.TXT: Publication 36328-501 Rev. E: 3-25-98
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Introduction
------------
This text file answers common questions about the Seagate 32-bit
Windows disc access driver. It contains the following sections:
-Frequently-Asked Questions
-Features of the SEG32BIT driver
-SEG32BIT compatibility issues
-Installing the SEG32BIT Driver
-Obtaining updated drivers
-License Agreement and Warranty Disclaimer
======================================================================
Frequently Asked Questions
--------------------------
1. What is a Windows driver?
A Windows driver is a "translation program" that helps
Microsoft Windows and Windows-for-Workgroups communicate with
devices attached to your computer. Such devices may include
modems, CD-ROMs, video cards, and hard drives.
2. What is the Windows 32-bit disk access driver?
This is a driver that allows Windows to communicate with your
hard disc directly (in protected mode) rather than going
through DOS or through your system BIOS. This means that your
CPU remains in 32-bit mode (if it supports this mode) rather
than slowing to 16-bit mode.
The 32-bit drive access driver that Microsoft created for
Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11 is named *WDCTRL.
Unfortunately, this driver does not work with hard drives
larger than 528 Mbytes.
3. What is SEG32BIT.386?
SEG32BIT is Seagate's version of a Windows driver that
replaces the generic driver, *WDCTRL. It is designed
specifically to work with ATA (IDE) drives larger than 528
Mbytes up to 8.4GB. It also configures your computer to take
advantage of any high-speed or LBA data transfer modes
supported by your computer and your hard drive(s).
4. Why should I use SEG32BIT.386?
The Microsoft 32-bit disc access driver does not work with ATA
(IDE) hard drives larger than 528 Mbytes. The Seagate driver
does. SEG32BIT also supports advanced disc access features
that may significantly improve the performance of your drive.
These features are not supported by the Microsoft 32-bit
driver.
Note. If your computer and drive host adapter do not support
32-bit addressing or advanced data transfer modes, you
do not need to use this driver.
5. Does SEG32BIT work with any hard drive?
As long as your computer contains at least one Seagate ATA
(IDE) hard drive, SEG32BIT can be used for 32-bit disc access
with any ATA (IDE) hard drive attached to that computer.
6. How much will my disc performance improve if I use SEG32BIT?
Once installed, SEG32BIT optimizes the data transfers to and
from your drive, if your system and drive support high-speed
data access features. The increase in performance will vary
depending on many factors, including the system architecture,
bus speed, interface chip manufacturer and version level.
======================================================================
Features of the SEG32BIT driver
-------------------------------
* Supports 32-bit drive access - Speeds up data access by
allowing the computer to choose the most efficient disc access
method.
* Supports drives larger than 528 Mbytes up to 8.4GB.
* Supports Read/Write Multiple - Speeds up data access by
allowing the drive and computer to send more than one sector
of data for each system interrupt. This feature is drive-
dependent and will be automatically detected by the driver if
it is available. It is only supported by computers with '386
and later CPU chips.
* Supports PIO Modes 3 and 4 - Speeds up data transfers by
minimizing the amount of time between blocks of data
transferred to or from the drive.
Note. PIO Modes 3 and 4 can only be implemented if they are
supported by the drives, the drive controller, and the
host computer. In addition, the host computer must have
a PCI bus or VL (Local bus) architecture.
* When Windows or Windows for Workgroups is loaded, SEG32BIT
automatically determines which features can be implemented.
SEG32BIT lists those features on the screen when Windows is
booted up.
======================================================================
SEG32BIT compatibility issues
-----------------------------
1. Compatible system software:
Microsoft Windows version 3.1
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11
2. Compatible bus types:
ISA, EISA, VL and PCI bus architectures.
3. Compatible hard drives:
SEG32BIT is compatible with most ATA (IDE) hard drives, but
can only be installed if a Seagate drive has been attached to
and recognized by the host computer.
4. Possible driver conflicts:
CD-ROM Drives - You cannot attach a CD-ROM drive to the same
ATA cable as your hard drive if you are using the SEG32BIT
driver and have the 32 bit drive access option enabled (The
CD-ROM is usable if the 32 bit drive access option is
disabled).
5. Third-party disc access Drivers:
Disk-access drivers provided by some vendors of ATA Host
Adapters cannot be used in conjunction with SEG32BIT. These
drivers may conflict with or disable SEG32BIT, resulting in
lower system performance. Only one 32-bit disc-access driver
may be run within a Windows session.
6. Drive Controller Interface Chips Supported:
ADI/2 & 3 - VESA bus
CMD 640B - PCI & VESA buses
DTC 803 - VESA bus
7. I/O Port supported:
The SEG32BIT driver only supports hard drives attached to the
primary port address (1F0 hex)
======================================================================
Installing the SEG32BIT Driver
------------------------------
SEG32BIT may be installed using three possible methods:
- using DiscWizard v2.4 or Disk Manager v9.44s+ select Advanced
option menu then Maintenance
- using STSETUP.EXE (see below)
- manually by editing the Windows 3.1x SYSTEM.INI file (see
below)
If the file STSETUP.EXE exists on the floppy or in the download file,
use it for a quick and easy installation.
Install the SEG32BIT.386 driver as follows:
1. Start Windows.
2. From the Program Manager menu, select File.
3. Select Run.
4. Insert the Seagate software diskette into the diskette
drive (assumed to be drive A).
5. In the command line box, type a:\stsetup.
6. Read the license agreement that appears on the screen. If you
agree to the terms, select ACCEPT AGREEMENT to continue.
7. The next screen lists the features the SEG32BIT.386 driver
supports. If your computer supports these features,
SEG32BIT.386 will enable them in 32-bit disc access mode for
all drives that support them. Select Install Driver to
continue.
8. After the driver is installed, the program automatically
re-enables 32-bit disc access in the Windows control panel.
Alternatively, you can do this manually, after exiting the
stsetup program.
To manually install the SEG32BIT 32-bit disk access file:
1. Open the SYSTEM.INI file with a standard text editor such as
NotePad or DOS Edit.
2. Go to the section [386Enh] and place a semicolon (;) in front
of the line "device=*wdctrl" which is Windows' default 32-bit
disk access driver.
3. Add a new line below (without quotes) the original driver as
"device=seg32bit.386; Seagate 32 bit disk access driver"
4. Save the file and restart Windows. Windows will only allow
one disk access driver to be installed. A startup error
message will be displayed if there is another third party
driver installed. Other third drivers may include the
following: mh32bit.386, wdcdrv.386, pti13.386, ptictrl.386,
eide2300.386, cpqint13.386, cpqwtl.386, flexidrv.386,
optivic.386, wdctrl32.386, cmdint13.386, cmd640x.386.,
adi2w102.386, wineide.386, shdrv.386, ide_win.386, sgat.386,
ontrackw.386. If any of these drivers are present, contact
their respective vendors for additional instructions that may
be pertinent to your system configuration.
5. Start the Windows Control Panel and select the 386 Enhanced
icon.
6. Select Virual Memory and then Change>>.
7. Check the selection box at the bottom of the panel "Use 32 Bit
Disk Access"
8. Restart Windows by following the system message instructions.
======================================================================
Obtaining updated drivers
-------------------------
The latest version of the SEG32BIT driver has been shipped on
your drive. If this software is updated, the updated version
will be posted at the following sources:
* SeaBOARD-The Seagate electronic bulletin board systems
United States 405-936-1600
England 44-1628-478011
France 33 1-48 25 35 95
Germany 49-89-140-9331
Singapore 65-292-6973
Thailand 662-531-8111
Australia 61-2-9756-2359
Taiwan 886-2-719-6075
* The Seagate www or ftp servers (on the internet):
http://www.seagate.com or ftp://ftp.seagate.com
======================================================================
License Agreement and Warranty Disclaimer
-----------------------------------------
Seagate reserves the right to change, without notice, product
offerings or specifications.
This is a legal agreement between you the purchaser and Seagate
Technology, Inc. By accessing Seagate Technology SEG32BIT.386 driver
(the "Software"), you agree to be bound by the terms of this
agreement. If you do not agree, do not access the software.
Seagate provides the accompanying object code of the Software and
nonexclusively licenses its use to you on the following terms and
conditions. The Software is Seagate's proprietary, copyrighted
product. Seagate grants you a limited access to use one copy of the
Software. You may not copy, distribute the Software for resale. You
may not reverse engineer, modify, rent, or lease the Software. In
addition, you may not disclose the information or data incorporated in
the Software to others, in any format.
You accept the Software "as is" without any warranty whatsoever.
Seagate does not warrant that the Software will meet your
requirements; that the Software is fit for any particular purpose or
that the use of the Software will be error free.
SEAGATE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT
WILL SEAGATE BE LIABLE TO YOU, YOUR CUSTOMERS OR OTHER USERS IN ANY
WAY BASED ON USE OF THE SOFTWARE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION FOR ANY
LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR USE OF THE SOFTWARE OR INDIRECT,
INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES ARISING OUT
OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE.
End of License Agreement.
-=EOF: SEG32BIT.TXT=-
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.