Boot Partition Size Limit with Compaq SmartSCSI Controller

• Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SUMMARY

The boot partition on a Compaq computer with Compaq's SmartSCSI disk controller is limited to 7.9 gigabytes (GB).

For information on size limits of the Windows NT boot partition, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

 ARTICLE-ID: Q119497
 TITLE     : Boot Partition Created During Setup Limited to 4 Gigabytes

MORE INFORMATION

The Compaq Smart Controller allows you to create logical drives up to 14 GB. However, if you set the boot partition to anything larger than 7.9 GB, Windows NT Setup fails immediately, and an error message appears stating that the bootable partition is too large.

This error message appears because no miniport driver is loaded to initialize the Compaq controller. Consequently, the drive geometry is reported to the system through the BIOS. Therefore, the limitation is a result of the 7.9 GB limit imposed by the SmartSCSI BIOS.

Compaq uses the SmartSCSI controllers on both Proliant and SystemPro models.

You can call Compaq technical support at (800) 652-6672.

The Compaq products included here are manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.