Programs Used
Adaptec ASPI Drivers

The term 'ASPI' is an acronym Advanced SCSI Programming Interface. All of the following terms are used to describe ASPI. ASPI layer, ASPI drivers, ASPI interface. The term SCSI (Pronounced scuzzy) is an acronym that stands for Small Computer Systems Interface.

An ASPI layer consists of four files (see picture below) that connect between various programs and certain devices, like a CD-ROM drives and writers.

Windows and programs use a ASPI driver to talk with SCSI devices. But what you may not realize is that the files contained in an ASPI layer are also used on systems that don't contain a SCSI adapter, or a SCSI device.

This is why for things such as CD audio ripping and writing CD's you will find ASPI related files available for download on sites like Nero. Programs like Nero may load from its own folder, if none is found it will then load from the system folder.

The Latest version of the ASPI software can be downloaded from Adaptec The self extracting file comes with a program called ASPICHK which can be used to check your system and Identify what version you have installed, and if the files all match.

If its not broke, Don't fix it
If your not having any problems, then you don't need to install the latest drivers. I have installed these latest drivers on Windows 98SE and have no problems.

Run the Aspichk.exe program to test your system

The latest Adaptec ASPI layer (for Windows 2000/NT) looks like this:

Windows 98 may just show two items


So long as the report says ASPI is properly installed there should be no problems.

At the moment Adaptec is allowing the download of this file without regard to ownership of retail Adaptec Products. This does not mean you can install them if you don't have an Adaptec device on your system.

Installation
Installing the software is done by sending a command to the Aspiinst.exe program, a Install.bat is provided for this to let you know what commend to use. On a Windows 98 system you would click START > RUN and type "Install X86" other commands are available for other operating systems, and the program comes with full documentation.

It may also be necessary to FORCE an installation, and although there are programs about like ForceASPI the same can be done with Adaptec Drivers "Install X86 /FORCE" would force an update.

List of files installed

Windows 98 / ME:
windows\system\iosubsys\apix.vxd
windows\system\apienum.vxd
windows\system\winaspi.dll
windows\system\wnaspi32.dll
Windows NT / 2000 / XP:
windows\system32\drivers\aspi32.sys
windows\system\wowpost.exe
windows\system\winaspi.dll
windows\system\wnaspi32.dll

Force ASPI
ForceASPI is a popular utility that will install version 4.60 (1021) of Adaptec's ASPI drivers, even if you don't have an Adaptec card or software in your system.

If you cannot get this to work try that, make sure you backup your existing files before you try anything. Copy the files listed above, or what is displayed by Aspichk. The file named index.html that comes with ForceASPI contains all the instructions you'll need.

Another way to use the Adaptec drivers, is to fool it into thinking you do have an Adaptec program/device installed. To do this you only need to install a new hardware device, Install an Adaptec 2940 SCSI adapter from the list of devices available in Windows.

Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Hardware. This will fool your system and the ASPI32.exe installer into thinking you have an Adaptec SCSI card installed in your system. Now run the Adaptec ASPI program. Any Adaptec device you installed, can now be removed

Make sure you download the correct ASPI drivers from Adaptec for your operating system.

Many people have said using Adaptec's ASPI layer 4.60 drivers with most operating systems, including Win98, WinME, Win2K, and WinXP .. have no problems. Many people who could not get their CD Writer to work, have fixed the problems with V4.60

If you still have problems after installing the latest Adaptec ASPI layer drivers, this is usually a problem with your burner or CD-ROM drive and you may need to update its firmware, or you installed a program that needs its own drivers.

Another problem I have seen, is the conflict that can happen when you install Nero and Roxio programs on the same system, although this seam to be now fixed, if your using older versions of Easy CD Creator, you should update it. And also install the latest version of Nero