Microsoft KB Archive/251376

= Miniport drivers for IDE controllers in Windows 2000, in Windows XP, and in Windows Server 2003 =

Article ID: 251376

Article Last Modified on 8/22/2005

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

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This article was previously published under Q251376



SUMMARY
The driver model for integrated device electronics (IDE) controllers in Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 is different from the driver model in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and earlier versions. This article discusses the differences.



Windows NT 4.0 and earlier operating systems
In Windows NT 4.0 and in earlier operating systems, the driver model for the SCSI adaptor is also applied to the IDE controllers. The miniport driver that is written by the OEMs is linked to the Microsoft-supplied Scsiport.sys driver to make up the complete port driver. The Atapi.sys driver in Windows NT 4.0 is a SCSI miniport driver for the IDE controllers.

Windows 2000 and later operating systems
In Microsoft Windows 2000 and in later operating systems, the driver model has changed. The Atapi.sys driver is a port driver like the Scsiport.sys driver. Atapi.sys supports all IDE devices that use the specifications for advanced technology attachment packet interface (ATA/ATAPI-5). The OEMs may write a MiniIDE driver to perform minimal functionality that is specific to their IDE controller, such as direct memory access [DMA] or bus mastering setup.

Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 include documentation about the MiniIDE driver model in the Driver Development Kit (DDK). The DDK also contains a sample MiniIDE driver. You can find the sample MiniIDE driver in the following folder:

\Src\Storage\Miniide\Pciide

