Windows NT May Use a Different HAL Version for Some 486 CPUs

 Last reviewed: May 9, 1997
Article ID: Q103933

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

On some computers with older versions of the Intel 486 processor, Windows NT may use a different version of the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL); it may use HAL486C.DLL instead of HAL.DLL.

Intel identifies different versions of their processors with a letter designating the Stepping. The latest Stepping version of the 486 is D. If the Intel 486 processor with the C Stepping uses the standard HAL.DLL, there may be periodic system failures.

The correct HAL should be used based on the type of 486 processor installed in a computer. Setup installs HAL486C.DLL by default if it cannot confirm that the processor is a 486 with D or later Stepping.

In Windows NT, it is possible to determine the Steppings of a processor by doing the following:

  1. From the File menu in Program Manager, choose Run, and then select WINMSD.EXE.

  2. In Windows NT Diagnostics, choose Hardware, and then choose CPU Steppings.

The next dialog box identifies the Stepping version of CPU 0, which is the main processor.

Additional query words: prodnt crash
Keywords : kbhw nthw
Version : 3.1
Platform : WINDOWS

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.

Last reviewed: May 9, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.