Windows NT Setup: SCSI Boot Disk Size Limitations (127134)
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
- 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 Q127134 SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to install Windows NT on a computer with a large SCSI
boot disk, Windows NT Setup may not recognize the primary active
partition. This problem can occur when the boot disk is a single physical
disk or when multiple physical disks are represented as one large hard
disk by the SCSI drive hardware RAID configuration.
CAUSE
Windows NT Setup does not recognize boot disks, with more than 1024
cylinders.
NOTE: The size of 1024 cylinder disks vary, but typically, they hold one
to two gigabytes of data.
WORKAROUND
If your SCSI host adapter can be configured to perform disk geometry to
system BIOS translation, you can install Windows NT on a boot disk with
more than 1024 cylinders. To do so, enable controller translation and
repartition any existing partitions. If necessary, low level format the
hard disk before repartitioning. Check with your hardware manufacture for
specific advice and details.
If your controller does not support disk translation, keep the boot disk
size within the 1024 cylinder limit or purchasing an adapter capable of
disk translation.
For more information about the configuration of hard disk drive
parameters, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
WINDOWS NT and BOOT and PROCESS and IDE
MORE INFORMATION
Windows NT Setup does not recognize an boot disk with more than 1024
cylinders because the Windows NT boot process must initially rely on the
system BIOS INT 13 calls (which recognize 1024 or fewer cylinders on the
primary active partition). The initial computer boot environment is not
operating system specific, and defines the boot parameters before the
Windows NT specific boot files (NTLDR and NTDETECT) are loaded. Windows NT
cannot change constraints established by the hardware and firmware
routines.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 5/6/2003 |
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| Keywords: | KB127134 |
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