With Cpqarray.sys, the Boot Partition cannot Extend Beyond 1023 Cylinders (178278)

SYMPTOMS

If you attempt to install Windows NT using a Compaq Array controller whose BIOS is disabled or to a boot partition that extends beyond 1024 cylinders, you may see one of the following errors after the text mode portion of setup reboots:

(NOTE: The type of error depends on if you are using a PCI Based Compaq Smart-2/P Array controller or an EISA based Compaq Smart-2/E Array controller)

If you are using a Compaq Smart-2/P Array controller (PCI based) or Fast and Wide-2 controller:

The system did not load because of a computer disk hardware
configuration problem.

Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check the boot path
and disk hardware.

Please check the Windows NT documentation about hardware disk
configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional
information. Boot failed.

-or-

boot signature aa55 not found error

-or-

If you are using a Compaq Smart-2/E Array controller (EISA based):

TRAP 0000000E ============ PAGE FAULT =============

** at linear address 00000002

tr=0028 cr0=80000011 cr2=00000002 cr3=00300000 .
.
.

CAUSE

If the boot partition extends beyond 1,024 cylinders or the boot partition is created on a drive attached to a SCSI controller whose BIOS is disabled, use the scsi() syntax in the Boot.ini file.

The scsi() syntax is not supported while using a Compaq Smart 2/P Array controller.

-or-

The Cpqarray.sys driver that ships with Windows NT does not support using the scsi() syntax for addressing a Compaq Smart 2/E Array controller.

RESOLUTION

Install Windows NT to a boot partition that does not extend beyond the 1,024 cylinder limitation of Interrupt 13 BIOS calls.
Use an updated Cpqarray.sys driver for Ntbootdd.sys when using scsi() syntax in the Boot.ini file and an EISA based Compaq Smart-2/E Array controller.
Use a different SCSI Controller and driver that supports booting from a boot partition that extends beyond 1,024 cylinders.
Contact Compaq Technical Support about this limitation when using scsi() syntax with the PCI based Compaq Smart-2/P Raid Controller.

MORE INFORMATION

Interrupt 13 compatibility is required so the master boot record (MBR) can locate the boot sector. The boot sector then finds and loads the NT boot loader (NTLDR) and continues to load the operating system. NT uses interrupt 13 calls until a disk driver is loaded.

If the boot partition can be accessed with Interrupt 13 BIOS calls then Windows NT will use the multi() syntax which does not load a driver for the disk controller until the Operating System starts loading from this partition.

When using the scsi() syntax in the BOOT.INI, Windows NT needs to load a SCSI device driver and uses that driver to access the boot partition. The SCSI controller driver is renamed NTBOOTDD.SYS and placed in the root of the system partition.

Two reasons for using scsi() syntax in the c:\boot.ini file:

The BIOS is disabled on the disk controller that Windows NT is installed on, so Interrupt 13 Bios calls cannot be used.
The boot partition extends beyond the 1024th cylinder on the drive which is a limitation of Interrupt 13 BIOS calls.

For more information about ARC Path Names, see NT 4.0 Server Resource Guide or NT 4.0 Workstation Resource Kit or refer to the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.