Cannot Boot Windows NT on a Diskless Workstation (128629)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
  • Microsoft LAN Manager 2.2c
  • Microsoft Network Client for MS-DOS 3.0
This article was previously published under Q128629

SUMMARY

For several reasons, you cannot boot Windows NT from a diskless workstation. Primarily, Windows NT requires a local hard disk for the paging file, and RPL requires the real mode drivers (RPLBOOT.SYS, RPLDISK.SYS, etc.) to load during the boot process.

MORE INFORMATION

The following operating systems can be used on diskless workstations, or from any workstation using a supported network card that allows remoteboot.

  • MS-DOS 3.30
  • MS-DOS 4.01
  • MS-DOS 5.00
  • MS-DOS 6.xx
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1 running on one of the above versions of MS-DOS.
The following diskless workstation network software is supported:

  • Microsoft LAN Manager for MS-DOS, version 2.2c
  • Any protocol that DOS LAN Manager supports (NetBEUI or TCP/IP)
For more information on installation of remoteboot workstations, see the Windows NT Server version 3.5 Installation Guide, page 111.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/6/2003
Keywords:kbinfo KB128629
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.