Installing Windows NT Server As a BDC Fails

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SYMPTOMS

When you install Windows NT Server as a Backup Domain Controller (BDC), the following error message appears:

   The dependency or group failed to start. This error prevented the
   network from starting. As a result you will be unable to join a
   domain at the present time.

These problems occurs on computers using:

• Compaq NetFlex-2 or NetFlex-L network adapters with the PCNTN3.SYS driver.

  -or-

• Compaq 32-bit Dualspeed Token Ring adapters.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the default NonPagePool memory space is depleted and the pool attempts to expand with each memory request. Consequently, the network adapter and network driver fail to allocate memory during the initialization, and therefore fail to load.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem:

1. Remove multiple network or SCSI adapters during the installation of Windows NT Server in order to eliminate extra resource requirements.

2. Add the adapters after the successful installation of Windows NT Server. You may have to use different network adapters during the installation process. Some network adapter drivers require large amount of NonPagePool memory during installation.

STATUS

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

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