Windows NT 4.0 hangs on DEC AlphaServer 2000, 2100, and 2100A Systems

ID: Q164594

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

  1. Download the updated Hal.dll files from Digital.

    Please contact Digital technical support at: http://www.windows.digital.com/support


  2. Expand the Hal.zip file you downloaded from DEC, and then put them onto a separate floppy disk.


  3. 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.


  4. In your OS\Winnt40 directory, rename the Hal.dll file to Hal.old.


  5. 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.


  6. 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:
  1. Upgrade the system Firmware.

    For information on updating your firmware, please contact Digital technical support at: http://www.windows.digital.com/support


  2. Download the updated Hal.dll files from Digital.

    Please contact Digital technical support at: http://www.windows.digital.com/support


  3. Expand the Hal.zip file you downloaded from DEC and put them onto a separate floppy disk.


  4. 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.


  5. 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:
  1. Upgrade the system Firmware.

    For information on updating your firmware, please contact Digital technical support at: http://www.windows.digital.com/support


  2. Download the updated Hal.dll files from Digital. Please contact Digital technical support at: http://www.windows.digital.com/support


  3. Expand the Hal.zip file you downloaded from DEC and put them onto a separate floppy disk.


  4. 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.


  5. Proceed with the remainder of the Windows NT 4.0 upgrade normally.


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.

Additional query words: Alpha hal.dll hangs frozen boot prodnt

Keywords : kb3rdparty kbsetup kbhowto nthowto
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: February 10, 1999
© 2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.