Compaq Drive Array Fault Tolerance Problems

 Last reviewed: May 12, 1997
Article ID: Q106538
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

After you install Windows NT on a COMPAQ drive array system, the system may not boot after installation is complete.

CAUSE

COMPAQ Proliant is shipped with an 8 megabyte (MB) FAT partition on the first of the SCSI drives in the array. If you do not change or remove this partition, the system will not boot.

The COMPAQ Proliant is shipped with the Smart SCSI 2 controller to manage drive mirroring or striping. The system can support up to a total of 14 gigabytes (GB) of disk space. COMPAQ has confirmed that there are known problems with using three or more SCSI drives to enable disk striping with parity. If the first partition is smaller than one percent of the total drive space, booting from the drive array fails.

RESOLUTION

To avoid this problem, boot from the installation disk. When you are prompted for the partition to install Windows NT, select the option to change the partition information. Either delete the 8 MB partition or create a partition greater than 1 percent of total disk space for the first partition. Proceed with the installation.

COMPAQ Proliant is manufactured by Compaq Computer Corp., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

REFERENCES

Compaq Technical Support Windows NT Resource Kit for Windows NT version 3.1

Additional query words: prodnt
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 12, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.