The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
SYMPTOMS
When you install Windows NT 4.0 on a Digital Equipment Corporation DEC
AlphaServer, the setup process may stop responding and may not respond to
user input.
Windows NT 4.0 may stop responding before or during a system boot at the
Blue kernel screen although displaying the Operating system version, number
of processors, and amount of memory. Additionally, the computer's NVRAM
variables may get corrupted.
This can happen during an initial installation, although performing an
Upgrade from Windows NT 3.51 to Windows NT 4.0, or after Windows NT 4.0 is
already installed and running.
CAUSE
There is a version conflict between certain revisions of the Mainboard, I/O
module, ARC firmware, and Windows NT 4.0 HAL files that can cause your
system to malfunction if you run Windows NT on any of the following
systems:
- AlphaServer 2000 4/xxx and 5/xxx
- AlphaServer 2100 4/xxx and 5/xxx
- AlphaServer 2100A 4/xxx and 5/xxx
RESOLUTION
You must upgrade your ARC firmware to version 4.50 or later, and update
your Windows NT 4.0 HAL files to the version posted on Digital's WWW site.
For information on updating your System firmware and to download the
updated HAL files, please contact Digital technical support at:
http://www.windows.digital.com/support
MORE INFORMATION
The methods you use to update the firmware and HAL are different depending
on whether:
- Windows NT 4.0 is already installed.
- You are performing a fresh installation of Windows NT 4.0.
- You are upgrading from Windows NT 3.51 to Windows NT 4.0.
- You have just replaced your I/O module or mainboard, and your system
will not boot the ARC firmware.
NOTE: If you are already running ARC firmware 4.50 or later, you can skip
the steps in the instructions related to upgrading the firmware. The ARC
firmware version currently installed in your system is displayed on the ARC
Boot screen.
If you are running ARC firmware 4.50 or later, do not downgrade to an
earlier revision.
STEP A: Updating the System Firmware
For information on updating your System firmware, please contact Digital
technical support at http://www.windows.digital.com/support
STEP B: Upgrading HAL on Systems with Windows NT 4.0 Already Installed
- Download the updated Hal.dll files from Digital.
Please contact Digital technical support at:
http://www.windows.digital.com/support
- Expand the Hal.zip file you downloaded from DEC, and then put them onto
a separate floppy disk.
- On the SYSTEM partition, go to the OS\Winnt40 directory.
NOTE: If you do not see any files in the right-hand pane, change the
File Manager or Explorer settings as appropriate to show all files and
file extensions. These files normally have the hidden, system, and read-
only attributes set.
- In your OS\Winnt40 directory, rename the Hal.dll file to Hal.old.
- Unzip the Hal.zip file you downloaded from DEC into a separate,
temporary directory on your hard disk drive. Then Copy the new
Hal_name.dll file from the temporary directory on your hard disk drive
into the directory OS\Winnt40 containing the Hal.old file in your system
partition, and rename the file you copied to Hal.dll.
- Shutdown and restart your system.
STEP C: Installing the Upgraded HAL on a Fresh Installation of
Windows NT 4.0
If you are performing a first time installation of Windows NT 4.0, follow
these steps to install the updated HAL and firmware files:
- Upgrade the system Firmware.
For information on updating your firmware, please contact Digital
technical support at:
http://www.windows.digital.com/support
- Download the updated Hal.dll files from Digital.
Please contact Digital technical support at:
http://www.windows.digital.com/support
- Expand the Hal.zip file you downloaded from DEC and put them onto a
separate floppy disk.
- Begin Windows NT installation. When prompted for your system type,
select Other and insert the floppy disk containing the updated HAL files
into the floppy disk drive. Press Enter twice to select and confirm that
you want to install the files from the floppy disk.
- Proceed with the remainder of the Windows NT installation normally.
STEP D: Installing the Upgraded HAL and Firmware Files When
Upgrading from Windows NT 3.51 to Windows NT 4.0
If you already have Windows NT 3.51 installed and are upgrading to Windows
NT 4.0, follow these steps to upgrade the HAL and firmware files:
- Upgrade the system Firmware.
For information on updating your firmware, please contact Digital
technical support at:
http://www.windows.digital.com/support
- Download the updated Hal.dll files from Digital.
Please contact Digital technical support at:
http://www.windows.digital.com/support
- Expand the Hal.zip file you downloaded from DEC and put them onto a
separate floppy disk.
- Begin the Windows NT upgrade. When prompted for your system type,
select Other and insert the floppy disk containing the updated HAL files
into the disk drive. Press Enter twice to select and confirm that you
want to install the files from the floppy disk.
- Proceed with the remainder of the Windows NT 4.0 upgrade normally.
STATUS
The products mentioned here are manufactured by a vendor independent
of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding
these products' performance or reliability.