Using GSI Model 18 Add-in IDE Controller Causes STOP 0x7B

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

SYMPTOMS

If a GSI model 18 IDE controller is installed in the non-PCI system, Windows NT will generate a Blue Screen with a STOP 0X0000007B (INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE) message.

CAUSE

This problem does not occur unless the add-in controller also has some device attached, such as a fixed disk. Because the system is not PCI, ATAPI does not control the second channel, but ATAPI must look at the devices on the card, to see if any are ATAPI. After ATAPI determines that it is not to use the second channel, it goes back to the boot device and reads Cylinder 0, Head 0, Sector 1 (Partition Table / MBR). At this point, for unknown reasons, it retries the read until the retries run out (even through the data received looks legitimate). It then determines that the boot device cannot be accessed, which causes the Blue Screen STOP message. The impact of this problem is small because most systems today do not use add-in IDE controllers.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, contact GS-118 support at (714) 261-9744 for an updated BIOS, version 5.02. You will need to provide a serial number for support. This problem cannot be reproduced if the device is removed from the GSI card, even if the card remains installed in the computer.

STATUS

This problem occurs when you use Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0 and a GSI model 18 IDE controller