Windows NT Pauses During Startup with Adaptec 1542CP

• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you use an Adaptec 1542CP in a computer running Windows NT Server or Workstation, Windows NT may pause during startup for up to 5 minutes. Event Viewer may indicate Event Id 9 - "Device\SCSIportX did not respond within the timeout period."

CAUSE

The setting in question may be First available interrupt and contain a numeric value. This setting determines what IRQs are available to the computer's PCI devices. Other BIOS manufacturers use Reserved by ISA to deny PCI devices access to those specified interrupts.

With Plug and Play disabled on the Adaptec 1542CP (which is the desired setting when using this controller with Windows NT), the default interrupt chosen by the controller is IRQ 10. If any PCI devices attempt to use this IRQ (based on the BIOS setting for available interrupts), you may experience the above symptoms.

RESOLUTION

Ensure that any available interrupts are NOT equal to the IRQ setting of the Adaptec controller. If your BIOS uses the Reserved by ISA scheme of interrupt control, then ensure the BIOS has reserved the Adaptec's IRQ setting as Reserved by ISA.