How to Troubleshoot Event 9 and Event 11 Error Messages

• Microsoft Windows NT Operating System version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SUMMARY

An error message similar to one of the following appears in your system log (as seen with Event Viewer), although the source can be any controller name (for example, Atdisk, Atapi, or Sparrow):

   Event ID:    9
   Source:      aic78xx
   Description: The device, \Device\ScsiPort0, did not respond within the
                timeout period.

-or-

   Event ID:    11
   Source:      aic78xx
   Description: The driver detected a controller error on Device\ScsiPort0.

In almost all cases, these messages are being posted due to hardware problems with either the controller or, more likely, a device that is attached to the controller in question. The hardware problems can be associated with poor cabling, incorrect termination or transfer rate settings, lazy or slow device responses to relinquish the SCSI bus, a faulty device or, in very rare cases, a poorly written device driver.

MORE INFORMATION

The following are some troubleshooting tips to help diagnose and pinpoint the problem:

• Read the SCSI controller manufacturer's technical manual to determine the termination requirements. Many modern SCSI controllers require active terminators (at least one of the devices on the bus must provide termination power). Proper termination involves both a terminator (resistor) and a device that supplies a signal to the bus for termination power. The SCSI-2 standard specifies that a controller (initiator) must supply termination power. Therefore, any controller that claims to be SCSI-2 compatible probably does supply termination power, but you should check if you are unsure. Also, many devices, especially drives, give you the option of providing termination power; if you have a jumper on the drive that reads Trmpwr, you should enable this jumper.
• If both internal and external SCSI devices are attached, make sure the last device on each SCSI chain is terminated, and that intermediary devices are not.
• If only a single SCSI chain is used (either all internal or external), ensure the last device of the SCSI chain is terminated and the SCSI controller itself is terminated. This is usually a BIOS setting.
• Check for loose or poor quality SCSI cabling. When you have a long chain of cables with mixed internal and external cabling, you run the risk of degrading the signal. Even though the SCSI specification may specify a long distance, the specification assumes cabling that allows no leakage or interference, and the reality is generally a shorter distance. Whenever you have 6-foot or longer external cables, you should replace them with 3-foot cables.
• Note when the event messages are posted and try to determine if it coincides with certain processing schedules (such as backups) or heavy disk processing. This will help to determine what device may be causing the errors.

  NOTE: The reason that drives tend to have these types of problems under heavy stress is often slow microprocessors. In a multitasking environment, the processor may not be fast enough to process all the I/O commands that come in nearly simultaneously.

• Slow the transfer rate settings if the timeouts are associated with tape drives - using 5MBS transfer rate usually cures the timeouts.
• Simplify the SCSI/IDE chain by removing devices, or move the device in question to another controller. If the problem follows the device, you should replace it.
• Check the revision of SCSI controller BIOS and device firmware revisions. Contact the manufacturer for the latest revisions. See the Checking the Model Number and Firmware Revision section below for the procedure on how to do this.
• Check the SCSI device drivers version. The SCSI driver is located in the %Systemroot%\System32\Drivers directory. Look at the version in the file properties, and check whether the SCSI manufacturer has a newer version.
• Remove other controllers that may create bus contention problems.
• A low-level format performed by the SCSI controller may resolve these event messages.
• Use a different make or model of any suspect hardware.

Checking the Model Number and Firmware Revision

The model number of the device and firmware revision are in the Windows NT registry. To check the model number and firmware revision, follow the steps below.

WARNING: Using the Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system- wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of the Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

1. Run Regedt32.exe.

2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Hardware\Devicemap\Scsi\ScsiPortx\ScsiBusx\ TargetIdx\LogicalUnitIdx, where x varies according to device number.

3. Look at the REG_SZ identifier value to see the model number and firmware revision values. For example, if you see

         SEAGATE ST32430N   0510
   
      then 0510 is the firmware revision value.
   
   

4. Record all the device model numbers and firmware revisions, and check with the manufacturer for any known issues.

   ARTICLE-ID: Q139357
   TITLE     : Some SCSI Disk Drives Generate Unneeded Error Messages

   ARTICLE-ID: Q150198
   TITLE     : Bus Contention and PCI, EISA, and ISA

   ARTICLE-ID: Q153128
   TITLE     : Event IDs 9 and 11: SCSI Controller/Device Errors