Microsoft Knowledge Base Email Alertz

Updated hardware abstraction layers (HAL) have been released by Compaq to enhance compatibility for Windows NT 4.0 on Compaq/DIGITAL Alpha-based hardware platforms. The following changes have been made to Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 to su

Search KbAlertz

Advanced Search

Receive Microsoft Knowledge Base articles by E-Mail?

Every night we scan the Microsoft Knowledge Base. If technologies you're interested in are updated, we'll send you an e-mail. You only get one e-mail a day, and only when new articles are added.

Click here to create a
FREE account
Already have an account?
[Click here to Login]











Microsoft Knowledge Base Article

This article contents is Microsoft Copyrighted material.
©2005-©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Trademarks

Article ID: 239929 - Last Review: October 31, 2006 - Revision: 1.4

Compaq HALs (Including Revision G) for Alpha with Windows NT 4.0

System TipThis article applies to a different version of Windows than the one you are using. Content in this article may not be relevant to you. Visit the Windows Vista Solution Center
This article was previously published under Q239929

On This Page

SUMMARY

Updated hardware abstraction layers (HAL) have been released by Compaq to enhance compatibility for Windows NT 4.0 on Compaq/DIGITAL Alpha-based hardware platforms. The following changes have been made to Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 to support the new Alpha HALs released by Compaq:
  • Enable Galaxy Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) 5.0 support for Tsunami chip set platforms.
  • Add Tsunami chip set Hardware Access List to Windows NT 4.0.
  • Enable TL to issue an IPL17 when needed.
  • Fix debug target's hangs when baud rates are mismatched.
  • Add support for System Management BIOS (SMBIOS) 2.1.
  • Add file to allow SX to build without warnings.
  • Add support to write to FRU EEPROM for Clipper platforms.
  • Add required serviceability changes.
  • Fix 16-bit sound card distortion.
  • Enable Remove command to use only the common header file.
  • Disable/enable system interrupt.
  • PALs have been updated to fix a problem where stopping a service traps with KiPanicException on Alpha. This is fixed by making the PAL not attempt to SYSRET in priviledged PAL mode. The process can still stop, but not take the system with it.
The updated HALs include the Revision G HAL released by Compaq.

RESOLUTION

Windows NT Server or Workstation 4.0

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to:
For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;cntactms)

Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
152734  (http://kbalertz.com/Feedback.aspx?kbNumber=152734/EN-US/ ) How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition.

This problem was first corrected in Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 6 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6.

MORE INFORMATION

The Windows NT Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) interfaces directly between the operating system and the computer hardware. Although the operating system code remains the same from platform to platform, a HAL must be designed for each type of computer hardware.

For information about the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) and HAL on your computer, click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, click Windows NT Diagnostics, and then click the System tab.

For more information about the HALs released by Compaq, please visit the following Compaq Web site:
http://www.compaq.com/support/files/alphant/firmware/ (http://www.compaq.com/support/files/alphant/firmware/)
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition, when used with:
    • the hardware: DEC Alpha
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition, when used with:
    • the hardware: DEC Alpha
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition, when used with:
    • the hardware: DEC Alpha
Keywords: 
kb3rdparty kbhardware kbinfo KB239929
       

Community Feedback System

Very often, it takes hours to solve a problem. Very often, you've looked high and low, and have tried a lot of solutions. When you finally found it, chances are, it was because someone else helped you. Here's your chance to give back. Use our community feedback tool to let others know what worked for you and what didn't.

Please also understand that the community feedback system is not warranted to be correct, it's simply a system that we've built to let people try and help each other. If something in a feedback response doesn't make sense to you, or you're not comfortable making changes that the feedback talks about (like registry edits), please consult a professional.

Thank you for using kbAlertz.com Feedback System.

-- Scott Cate