MS DOS compatability in Win95

[Ray Muscat]

The problem that I have with my PC is:
The Control Panel - System - Performance Status reads:
File System - Some drives are using MS-DOS compatibility.
Virtual Memory - MS-DOS compatibility mode

and the information in the underlying window reads:

(*) Compatibility mode paging reduces overall system performance
Drive C: Using MS-DOS compatibility mode file system
Drive D: as above

If one had to click on File System (Advanced Settings) - Troubleshooting, and disable all 32 bit protect mode disk drives, he/she will get the same messages as above.

(*) Help notes that: Windows was unable to identify a real mode driver or memory resident program in the Config.sys or Autoexec.bat files.

Any suggestions how I could resolve this?

[CMonster]

That is a tough question; I have seen this on many occasions and most times it was from changing the motherboard and not properly installing new chipset drivers/patches. On one occasion a similar message was due to incompatibility of a driver loaded from autoexec.bat.

I bet the problem didn't just happen "out of the blue," but was preceeded by something, a hardware change perhaps. Make sure that you have any drivers or patches necessary for your system properly installed according to the "readme" which is usually included somewhere in the accompanying software.

You may try "remming out" the lines in your autoexec.bat file (typing "rem" <space> just in front of them). If the problem is there, it is likely the line that loads the DOS driver for your CDROM.

I cannot begin to tell you how much grief I have been spared by reading those "boring" readme files.

Give a little more background/system information if possible.

George

[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 02-04-99).]

[Ray Muscat]

Thanks CMonster for your contribution. Let me give more details.
I am using win95 with two hard drives A,C,D and E. Drive C is the boot drive. The hard drive controllers are IDE/ESDI.
I have checked the config.sys and autoexec.bat files for any missing drivers and devices (including ANSI.SYS), but everything seems in order, even the CD-ROM driver.
I checked in the site: http://www.fic.com.tw/techsupport/faq/faqswindows95.htm,
however, in
"HKEY_LOCAL\MACHINE\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVIC ES\VXD\IOS"
of the windows registry, I didn't find the suggested NOIDE switch. This suggests that the problem is not due to a "protect mode error driver that fails to initialize".
In the control panel, system, device manager - I am getting an exclamation mark on only one drive controller (C) whilst the other
doesn't (D). On the performance screen, I am getting the error on both drives.
Before this CD-ROM I have another one, which I recently changed. It seems that the problem started from this change, however, I can't figure how, as everything seems OK.

Thanks once again

[Ray Muscat]

I would like to correct my second line of my previous note.

I have two floppy drives: A and B,
two hard drives: C and D,and
one CD-ROM drive: E.

[Isos]

You need to provide more information, like motherboard, BIOS version, & model/brands of Harddrive & CD-ROM drive.

Usually, the culprit is that Windows did not load the correct driver for your harddrive controller or that one of your drives is not capable of 32 bit access. Do you have a yellow ! symbol in your device manager tab?

Does your device manager list a valid hard drive controller along with a primary & secondary IDE controller?

[Bill Kunert]

Go to the Microsoft web site and do a search of their knowledge base for your problem. I've had the problem and was able to resolve it with their help. You've loaded a bunch of 16 bit drivers in stead of the 32 bit windows drivers. Try the web site. It might steer you in the right direction.
Bill

[Ray Muscat]

I have solved the MS-DOS Compatability problem!!
The problem wasn't as I expected and as all those who contributed, that is, no lack of 32bit drivers or badly configured config.sys or autoexec.bat files or bad board, etc.
The problem was a memory resident virus, namely the 'One-Half.mp' virus. I got it from the net and my previous virus scanner didn't detect it. I managed to detect it by using 'VirusScan' of Network Associates.
The virus encrypted almost all the cylinders of my 'C' drive and took VirusScan almost 3 hours to decrypt it. The 'C' drive is now noticeably faster and the Compatability error is gone.
Thanks again to all those who contributed.

Ray