Setup Stops When Inspecting Computer Hardware Configuration

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you run Windows NT 4.0 Setup from the three Setup floppy disks, or when you run Setup using the WINNT /B command, your computer may stop responding while the following message is displayed:

   Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration.

CAUSE

The Windows NT 4.0 installation compact disc meets the El Torito specification using Non-Emulation mode regarding bootable CD-ROM media. Some newer computers support the El Torito specification but adhere to Emulation-mode specifications.

Some system BIOSes that support the El Torito specification in Emulation mode interfere with Windows NT Setup and cause the computer to hang during the hardware detection process. It seems that the BIOS grabs the CD-ROM device during the Power On System Test (POST) and causes Windows NT hardware detection to hang. This can also happen if you leave CD-ROM drive in the boot sequence (drive C, CD-ROM drive, drive A).

RESOLUTION

The system BIOS may display that it recognizes a bootable CD-ROM during POST. There are usually CMOS options that allow you to select which boot devices to try and in what order. We recommend disabling the option to boot from the CD-ROM drive in the CMOS settings.

We also recommend that you not leave the Windows NT CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive until after the computer configuration detection is finished. Or, contact the manufacturer of your computer or system BIOS for an updated BIOS to correct the problem.

Note that this is only one cause of the problem. Other causes include IRQ conflicts, an incorrect HAL, external caching, and shadowing options in the CMOS settings.

For additional information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q103659
   TITLE     : Setup Hangs While Inspecting Hardware; How to Use
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