Error Loading Windows NT Service Packs on RISC Platforms

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

SUMMARY

While trying to load any Windows NT Service Pack on a PowerPC platform you may encounter the following error:

   A non-critical error has occurred, external library Getdest.dll could
   not process os loader boot variable.

MORE INFORMATION

The routine that is called from Getdest.dll is GetOsLoaderDest, and this error message means that one of the following nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) variables is not set correctly:

   SYSTEMPARTITION
   OSLOADER
   OSLOADPARTITION
   OSLOADFILENAME

SYSTEMPARTITION multi(0)scsi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2) OSLOADER multi0)scsi0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\OS\winnt\osloader.exe OSLOADPARTITION multi(0)scsi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3) OSLOADFILENAME \winnt

Additionally a drive letter must be assigned to the file allocation table (FAT) partition containing the Osloader.exe file in order for the Service Pack to install properly.

RESOLUTION

Follow your PowerPC manufacturer's hardware guide to enter the computer's NVRAM and verify the above NVRAM variables contain valid information.

STATUS

The PowerPC is manufactured by International Business Machines Corporation, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.