Setup Err Msg: This HAL.DLL Requires an MPS Version 1.1

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you install Windows NT on a multiprocessor computer, the following error message appears when the computer reboots after the character-based portion of Setup:

   HAL: Bad APIC version. HAL: This HAL.DLL requires an MPS version 1.1
   system. Replace HAL.DLL which the correct HAL for this system. The
   system is halting.

CAUSE

This error message occurs when:

• A computer attempts to boot with a symmetric multi-processing (SMP) hardware abstraction layer (HAL) on a computer with Multi-Processor Specification (MPS) architecture that currently has a single processor.
• A computer that is not listed on the Windows NT Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) is using an ASUS dual-processor motherboard with only one processor present. The Microsoft Windows NT Hardware Compatibility

   certifies complete systems, not individual motherboards.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem:

• Install Windows NT using Custom Setup and verify that the computer type is not identified as an MPS machine. If setup detects the system as an MPS machine, change the machine type to AT Compatible.

  -or-

• Edit the TXTSETUP.SIF file on the setup boot disk. In the [HAL] section change:

        mps11_mp    = halmps.dll  ,2,hal.dll
  
     to read:
  
        mps11_mp    = hal.dll  ,2,hal.dll
  
     This forces the standard ISA/EISA HAL to be loaded.
  
     -or-
  
  

• If you are running Windows NT 3.51, select a different kernel and HAL when you boot Windows NT. For additional information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

        ARTICLE-ID: Q132512
        TITLE     : Selecting a Computer Type Before Windows NT Setup Begins
  
  

If you are using a computer (not listed on the Windows NT HCL) that has an ASUS dual-processor motherboard with only one processor present, you can work around this problem by setting the J14 jumper (on the motherboard) for a dual-processor computer, even though the computer has only one processor. Executive)" dialog