Setup Err Msg: This HAL.DLL Requires an MPS Version 1.1 (123732)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q123732

SYMPTOMS

When you install Windows NT on a multiprocessor computer, the following error message appears when the computer reboots after the character-based portion of Setup:
HAL: Bad APIC version. HAL: This HAL.DLL requires an MPS version 1.1 system. Replace HAL.DLL which the correct HAL for this system. The system is halting.

CAUSE

This error message occurs when:

  • A computer attempts to boot with a symmetric multi-processing (SMP) hardware abstraction layer (HAL) on a computer with Multi-Processor Specification (MPS) architecture that currently has a single processor.
  • A computer that is not listed on the Windows NT Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) is using an ASUS dual-processor motherboard with only one processor present. The Microsoft Windows NT Hardware Compatibility Group certifies complete systems, not individual motherboards.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem:
  • Install Windows NT using Custom Setup and verify that the computer type is not identified as an MPS machine. If setup detects the system as an MPS machine, change the machine type to AT Compatible.

    -or-
  • Edit the TXTSETUP.SIF file on the setup boot disk. In the [HAL] section change:

    mps11_mp = halmps.dll ,2,hal.dll

    to read:

    mps11_mp = hal.dll ,2,hal.dll

    This forces the standard ISA/EISA HAL to be loaded.

    -or-
  • If you are running Windows NT 3.51 or 4.0, select a different kernel and HAL when you boot Windows NT. For additional information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    ARTICLE-ID: 132512
    TITLE : Selecting a Computer Type Before Windows NT Setup Begins

If a second processor is added later, you may need to manually copy and rename the correct HAL file.

If you are using a computer (not listed on the Windows NT HCL) that has an ASUS dual-processor motherboard with only one processor present, you can work around this problem by setting the J14 jumper (on the motherboard) for a dual-processor computer, even though the computer has only one processor.

Windows NT 3.51 includes a function key sequence that allows you to select a specific HAL and kernel to load. This option is not currently documented.

To do this, press the F5 key when at the black screen that reads:

Setup is inspecting your computers hardware configuration

This is the first screen you see after the BIOS when booting from setup floppies, and occurs right after the OSLOADER screen when doing a WINNT32 /B or a WINNT /B setup.

If you press F5 when you receive this message, setup will put up a blue screen that reads

Windows NT Setup

and displays the message "Setup is loading files (Windows NT Executive)" at the bottom of the screen. After this message it will display a dialog box with a list of machine selections. You can now select any of the supported machine types, including Standard PC or Other, which will allow you to supply a third party HAL.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/6/2003
Keywords:kbsetup KB123732
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