Err Msg: Setup Requires a Local Hard Disk That is Visible

The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to upgrade a computer that is running Windows NT and using mirrored hard disk drives to a later version of Windows NT the following error appears:

   Setup requires a local Hard Drive that is visible at startup which
   requires at least 36 MB of free disk space in order to upgrade
   Windows NT. No such drive was found.

CAUSE

Setup determines, from the first partition ID byte on the hard disk drive, that the disk is part of a fault tolerant disk configuration. Because Setup does not distinguish between mirrored sets and any other type of fault tolerant configuration, Setup stops.

MORE INFORMATION

This error also occurs on some hardware implementations mirrored set, fault tolerant drives.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, break the mirrored set, install Windows NT on the primary partition, and then reestablish the mirror.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT versions 3.5 and 3.51. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.