Windows NT 4.0 Fails to Start on a Uniprocessor Compaq

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

After you install a post-Service Pack 3 (SP3) hotfix Ntoskrnl.exe dated 11/20/97 or later, the system fails to restart. The system will stop responding (hang) at the Blue screen listing the Windows NT version and service pack information. The personal computer is a uni-processor Compaq running Compaq's System Manager driver, Sysmgmt.sys.

CAUSE

Newer Ntoskrnl.exe code has been redesigned because of the Pentium errata bug. This new behavior conflicts with Compaq's Sysmgmt.sys driver, causing the driver to fail to load, which stops the system from starting.

RESOLUTION

Rename Sysmgmt.sys or get the latest driver from Compaq which resolves this problem.

Sysmgmt.sys is manufactured by Compaq Corp., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

REFERENCES

For more information on the Pentium errata bug, please see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

ARTICLE-ID: Q163852
TITLE : Invalid Operand with Locked CMPXCHG8B Instruction

Keywords : ntstart NTSrvWkst
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb