CMPXCHG8B CPUs in Non-Intel/AMD x86 Compatibles Not Supported

ID: Q189988

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

SYMPTOMS

Computers with x86-based processors that report support for CMPXCHG8B in the response from the CPUID instruction may cause the following blue-screen error message during startup:

STOP 0x0000003e
MULTIPROCESSOR_CONFIGURATION_ NOT SUPPORTED

NOTE: This problem can occur on uniprocessor systems and only occurs on non- Intel and non-AMD x86-based processors.

CAUSE

During the boot process, Windows NT queries the processor for its type and uses that information to adjust its initialization to take advantage of the features that the processor should support. Later, it makes calls to the processor to verify that it does support these specific features. One of the calls is to note the maker of the processor. If the maker is not Intel or AMD, the return value causes Windows NT to assume that the features are not supported by the processor, even through they may be.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.

Keywords : NT4SP4Fix kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00.sp4
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug