workstation nt4.0 and usb mass storage device

[hara-kiri]

Trying to find the answer to this question everywhere!!

iam running workstation nt4 at work and was wondering if i got a usb mass storage device could i just plug and play or would i have to install drivers etc??

On all the usbmsd sites it says compat with (Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, Mac OS 9.0 or above).
nothing about nt!!! ever!

any help cheers

HK

[TierraDelFuego]

afaik NT does not support USB at all. You may find some 3rd party drivers that may work by searching on the internet, but unlikely.

[hara-kiri]

ok cheers mate, will have a look.

[hara-kiri]

I have found two references to a file dell that support alot of different chipsets but i havent got a usb storage device to check it out and to see if it works!!

http://www.x-3dfx.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=304

&

http://www.computing.net/windowsnt/wwwboard/forum/22296.html

& the file

http://ftp1.us.dell.com/utility/R62200.EXE (4.1mb download)

[Van Nugent]

As TierraDelFuego said, you can find some 3rd party drivers that may help NT4.0 to work with some USB devices but there are something you need to be aware of:

- These drivers will only help NT4.0 to work with very limited USB1.1 supports. Mainly, those drivers only support I/O devices such as USB scanners, keyboards, mice, printers. However, they do not work with all devices just listed and USB hubs are almost certainly not supported. Each driver only works with a certain number of devices.

- Installing of more than 1 such driver is calling for troubles as they will cause conflict in the system.

- Mass storage devices that require fast data transfer such as external USB HDDs, DVD/CD burners are certainly not supported by the free 3rd party drivers, unless the drivers are made from the hardware manufacturers for their devices (and I am sure them hardware makers don't write codes to support their devices on NT 4.0 anymore). You can purchase special drivers for NT4.0's USB supports and it will cost you a small fortune (they are mainly for companies that are running NT4.0 on their production-line systems).

However, just try the drivers you've found and maybe luck will be with you. :)