Cannot Boot Windows NT from CD-ROM

 Last reviewed: March 27, 1997
Article ID: Q155020
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

A computer that can boot from the CD-ROM drive may not be able to boot from the Windows NT 4.0 CD-ROM.

CAUSE

A computer can boot from the Windows NT CD-ROM only if both the SCSI BIOS and the system BIOS support the El Torito specification. Computers that do not successfully boot from the Windows NT CD-ROM either do not support the specification or do not support it fully.

There are three ways to support the El Torito specification: Emulating a floppy disk, emulating a hard disk, or using no emulation. Windows NT requires using no emulation.

RESOLUTION

Some computers have a configuration tool that permits you to choose the boot order among the floppy disk drive, hard disk, or CD-ROM drive. If your computer has a configurable boot order, verify that the CD-ROM drive is first in the sequence, and set to No Emulation.

If your computer is not configurable, or does not adhere to the El Torito specification, contact your computer's manufacturer for information concerning an upgrade.

MORE INFORMATION

The following computers are known to exhibit this behavior:

  • Compaq ProLiant 4000
  • Compaq ProLiant 4500

Additional query words:
Keywords : kbenv NTSrvWkst prodnt winboot
Version : 4.0
Platform : WinNT

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Last reviewed: March 27, 1997
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