Selecting a Computer Type Before Windows NT Setup Begins

Last reviewed: March 25, 1997
Article ID: Q132512

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation, versions 3.5x
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, versions 3.5x
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation, versions 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, versions 4.0

SUMMARY

When you boot from the Setup disks, Windows NT Setup loads a reduced version of the operating system, including a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) kernel and the generic multiprocessor version of the hardware abstraction layer (HAL). This articles explains how to select a different kernel and HAL.

MORE INFORMATION

To force setup to load a specific HAL and kernel, follow one of these two procedures:

  • Floppy Disk Setup Procedure

    -or-

  • WINNT32 /B or WINNT /B Setup Procedure

Floppy Disk Setup Procedure

  1. Boot Windows NT Setup from the Setup floppy disks and wait for the Computer's BIOS information to appear.

  2. Press the F5 key when you are at the black screen that states:

          Setup is inspecting your computers hardware configuration
    

  3. Wait for Setup to display a blue screen with text at the top and the bottom that states:

          Windows NT Setup
          ================
    

          Setup is loading files (Windows NT Executive)
    

  4. Wait for Setup to display a dialog box with a list of computer models.

    This is the list of computer models that appears:

          AST Manhatten SMP
          Compaq SystemPro MultiProcesor or 100% compatible
          Corollary C-bus Architecture
          IBM PS/2 or other Microchannel-based PC
          MPS Uniprocessor PC
          MPS Multiprocessor PC
          NCR System3000 model 3360/3450/3550
          Olivetti LSX5030/40
          Standard PC
          Standard PC With c-step i486
          Wyse series 7000i model 740mp/760mp
          Other
    

  5. Select your computer from the list, including Standard PC or, if your computer is not listed, select the option called Other, which prompts you to insert a disk with a HAL provided by your computer manufacturer.

WINNT32 /B or WINNT /B Setup Procedure

  1. Start Setup with the command WINNT32 /B or WINNT /B, whichever applies, and wait for the OSLOADER screen to appear.

  2. Press the F5 key when you are at the black screen that states:

          Setup is inspecting your computers hardware configuration
    

  3. Wait for Setup to display a blue screen with text at the top and the bottom that states:

          Windows NT Setup
          ================
    

          Setup is loading files (Windows NT Executive)
    

  4. Wait for Setup to display a dialog box with a list of computer models.

    This is the list of computer models that appears:

          AST Manhatten SMP
          Compaq SystemPro MultiProcesor or 100% compatible
          Corollary C-bus Architecture
          IBM PS/2 or other Microchannel-based PC
          MPS Uniprocessor PC
          MPS Multiprocessor PC
          NCR System3000 model 3360/3450/3550
          Olivetti LSX5030/40
          Standard PC
          Standard PC With c-step i486
          Wyse series 7000i model 740mp/760mp
          Other
    

  5. Select your computer from the list, including Standard PC or, if your computer is not listed, select the option called Other, which prompts you to insert a disk with a HAL provided by your computer manufacturer.


Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbsetup kbusage ntsetup
Version : 3.5 3.51 4.0
Platform : WinNT


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Last reviewed: March 25, 1997
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