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AST RESEARCH, INC.       TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1402A               3-15-96

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Ascentia 950N Floppy Drive Running in DOS Compatibility Mode in Windows 95


PROBLEM

When using the floppy drive in the Ascentia 950N under Windows 95, the drive 
seems somewhat slow.  Going into the Performance Tab in the System folder 
reveals that drive A: is running in DOS Compatibility Mode.


CAUSE

Due to the method used to share floppy drive related resources when the unit 
is docked, Windows 95 forces the floppy drive into DOS compatibility mode 
on initial installation.


SOLUTION

To configure the floppy drive to operate in an optimal state, 
do the following:


STEP 1

Start Control Panel.

Double Click on "Add New Hardware".

Click on "Next".

Select "No" to the question "Do you want Windows to search for your new 
hardware?".

Click on "Next".

Double Click on "Floppy disk controller".

Double Click on "Standard floppy disk controller".

Click on "Next".

NOTE:  Ignore the message about there being a device conflict!

Click on "Finish".


STEP 2

Double Click on "System".

Click on the "Device Manager" tab.

NOTE:  The "Standard floppy disk controller" will display with a red X.

Double Click on the "Standard floppy disk controller" entry.

Under the "Device Usage" area, check both docked and un-docked entries.

Click on the "Resource" tab.

Click on "Set Configuration Manually".

Select Basic Configuration 1.

Click "OK" at the bottom of screen.

Return to the Device Manager tab.

Double Click on "Motherboard resources" under the "System Devices" 
section.

Click on the "Resources" tab.

Click on "Set Configuration Manually".

Click on the check mark next to "Use automatic settings".  This will remove 
the check mark.

Click "OK" at the bottom of the screen.

Click "Yes" to the question regarding shutting down the system.

Restart the notebook.

The Performance tab will now indicate the system is optimal and the increase 
in floppy speed will be apparent.


SYSTEMS AFFECTED

All Ascentia 950N series notebook computers.