Compaq Drive Array Fault Tolerance Problems (106538)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
This article was previously published under Q106538

SYMPTOMS

After you install Windows NT on a COMPAQ drive array system, the system may not boot after installation is complete.

CAUSE

COMPAQ Proliant is shipped with an 8 megabyte (MB) FAT partition on the first of the SCSI drives in the array. If you do not change or remove this partition, the system will not boot.

The COMPAQ Proliant is shipped with the Smart SCSI 2 controller to manage drive mirroring or striping. The system can support up to a total of 14 gigabytes (GB) of disk space. COMPAQ has confirmed that there are known problems with using three or more SCSI drives to enable disk striping with parity. If the first partition is smaller than one percent of the total drive space, booting from the drive array fails.

RESOLUTION

To avoid this problem, boot from the installation disk. When you are prompted for the partition to install Windows NT, select the option to change the partition information. Either delete the 8 MB partition or create a partition greater than 1 percent of total disk space for the first partition. Proceed with the installation.

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

REFERENCES

Compaq Technical Support
Windows NT Resource Kit for Windows NT version 3.1
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/20/2003
Keywords:kbHardware KB106538
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.