Microsoft KB Archive/933242

= Windows ReadyDrive does not work in Windows Vista if the first partition of a hybrid hard disk drive has less than 32 MB of free space =

Article ID: 933242

Article Last Modified on 8/29/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Ultimate
 * Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition

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SYMPTOMS
In Windows Vista, Windows ReadyDrive does not work if the first partition of a hybrid hard disk drive has less than 32 megabytes (MB) of free space. When this problem occurs, the operating system does not recognize the hybrid hard disk drive. Instead, the operating system uses this disk drive as a traditional disk drive.



CAUSE
This issue occurs because the operating system incorrectly compares the free space with the desired space.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions


WORKAROUND
To work around this issue, make sure that the first partition of a hybrid hard disk drive has at least 32 MB of free space.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
A hybrid hard disk drive (H-HDD) is a new type of hard disk drive that adds flash memory to a standard mobile PC hard disk drive. By using a hybrid hard disk drive, Windows ReadyDrive provides better performance, better reliability, and longer battery life. For more information, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/stor-tech.mspx

To determine whether the operating system recognizes the hybrid hard disk drive, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, type Device Manager in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
 * 2) Click Continue in the User Access Control dialog box.
 * 3) In the Device Manager window, expand the Disk drives node, right-click the node that corresponds to your hybrid hard disk drive, and then click Properties.
 * 4) Determine whether the NV Cache tab is present.

Note The NV Cache tab may be absent for other reasons. It does not necessarily mean you are experiencing this problem. For example, this tab is absent if the hybrid hard disk drive has not passed the performance assessment.

