Setup and Boot Hangs on HP NetServer Computer

ID: Q121703

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SYMPTOMS

Hewlett-Packard (HP) NetServer series computers with onboard Adaptec AIC7770 SCSI controllers stop responding (hang) during SCSI detection in Windows NT Setup. Even if Setup completes successfully, Windows NT may hang during the boot process.

CAUSE

This problem is caused by several factors, such as outdated drivers, outdated firmware and computer configuration. Another contributor to the problem is a conflict with the data transfer rate of the onboard AIC7770 SCSI controller.

RESOLUTION

In order to correct this problem, the following procedures for Windows NT version 3.1 and Windows NT version 3.5 are recommended. If you experience additional problems, refer to your hardware documentation or contact HP Technical Support at (208) 323-2551.

Windows NT 3.1

A fix is available on HP's BBS at (408) 344-1691. The file to download is LMLFB01D.EXE. This driver replaces ARROW.SYS (which becomes NTBOOTDD.SYS after installation.) After following the instructions of the README file, you may do the following to implement the fix:

Make a copy of your master Windows NT Setup Disk for CD-ROM Installation disk using the MS-DOS DISKCOPY command. Label the copy as the work disk.

Delete the SCSI driver from the work disk. For example, if the work disk is in the A drive, type the following command:

del a:\arrow.sys

Start the installation of Windows NT as normal using the work disk in place of the Windows NT Setup Disk for CD-ROM Installation disk.

When prompted for the type of setup, choose custom setup.

Press S to configure additional SCSI adapters after Setup scans your system for SCSI host adapters and displays the list of recognized adapters.

Select the Other (requires disk provided by a hardware manufacturer) option. Setup will prompt you for the location of the disk. Specify the following location:

a:\winnt

Insert the HP NetServer LM/LF NetWare, OS/2, MS-DOS and Windows NT SCSI Driver disk into drive A and press ENTER. A dialog box will appear that displays:

Adaptec 2740/AIC 777x

Press ENTER to select this driver and continue with the Windows NT installation.

Windows NT 3.5

Verify that the ARROW.SYS file in the %systemroot%\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS subdirectory is the one shipped with Windows NT version 3.5. The file size of ARROW.SYS is 38,224 bytes dated 9/4/94.

Verify the version number of the Flash BIOS on each NetServer computer, which are listed below:


   Models      486-processor          Pentium-procoessor
   -------------------------------------------------------
   LM          1.00.19.AMO or later   1.00.19.AMO or later
   LF and LC   4.02.23.PA or later    4.02.18.PB or later
   LE          Z.04.01 or later       Z.04.01 or later

If PCI slots on the NetServer machines are not used, disable them.

Verify that the Secondary Cache Mode on the computer is set to Write-through. The default is Write-back.

NOTE: For steps 3 and 4 above, run the EISA Configuration utility shipped with the Hewlett-Packard NetServer series computers.

The products included here are manufactured by Hewlett-Packard, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords : kbsetup ntsetup ntboot
Version : 3.1 3.5
Platform : winnt
Issue type :