Error: Please Insert the Compaq SSD into Drive "CD-ROM" (168645)

SYMPTOMS

When you upgrade a Compaq server from a Smart Start CD (that includes Compaq's OEM version of Windows NT) to a retail copy of Microsoft Windows NT, you may get the following error:

Please insert the Compaq SSD into drive "CD-ROM".

where "CD-ROM" is your drive letter assignment for the CD-ROM.

CAUSE

This is caused when the original installation of Windows NT came from a Compaq Smart Start CD. The Compaq Software Support Diskette (SSD) is included on the Compaq CD and was installed at the same time from one media. When an upgrade is attempted from a non-Smart Start installation CD, it looks at the following registry setting for the setup source path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup
   SourcePath E:\ (CD drive enumeration)

RESOLUTION

The Compaq SSD now needs to be installed from a disk. Since the upgrade is looking for the CD (E: etc.) you cannot insert the disk into drive A: and continue. To fix this, do one of the following:

Press the Esc key to finish the upgrade. Install the SSD from a disk later.

-or-
Edit the registry key:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) and locate the following subkey:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

Change the SourcePath to A:\ (do this before doing the upgrade).
Exit Registry Editor and restart your computer.

The upgrade process will then ask you to insert the SSD into drive A:\.