DOCUMENT:Q222871 06-AUG-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Err Msg: "Drive Is Not Ready for Use" with Removable Media PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you use removable media devices (such as the Iomega Zip drive or the Iomega Jaz drive) with Windows NT, the following error message may be displayed after startup: The drive is not ready for use; its door may be open. Please check drive \\\ and make sure that a disk is inserted and that the drive door is closed. NOTE: The , , and values may be different, based on your configuration. CAUSE ===== This behavior occurs because removable media can be reported as malfunctioning if a cartridge is not present in the removable media device. When the disk controller BIOS queries a removable media device, it stores the device status information in memory. At startup, Windows NT sends a query to determine the status of devices connected to the disk controller. Depending on the firmware installed, the BIOS revision, or the characteristics of the disk controller, removable media can be reported as malfunctioning if a cartridge is not present in the removable media device. RESOLUTION ========== To resolve this problem, place a cartridge in the removable media device and restart Windows NT. MORE INFORMATION ================ This problem may occur on either IDE-based or SCSI-based systems. REFERENCES ========== For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q171213 Copy to Removable Drive in Explorer May Fail After Media Swap Q159456 Using IOMEGA Zip IDE Insider under Windows NT Additional query words: syquest ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : winnt:4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.