System No Longer Boots After Removing SCSI Adapter

 Last reviewed: April 4, 1997
Article ID: Q101865

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system, version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1

Windows NT may no longer start (boot) after you remove an adapter. This is because Windows NT stores references to adapters statically. When you remove an adapter, the adapter number may change at the hardware level. For example, if you had two SCSI hard disk controllers, numbered 0 and 1, removing the first will make the second become number 0. When Windows NT tries to access the information on the second adapter, it looks for adapter number 1, which no longer exists.

If this problem occurs, you need to modify an entry in the BOOT.INI file to accurately reflect the adapter number. For example, the following entry may be in the BOOT.INI file: 

   scsi(1)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\winnt = "Windows NT 3.1"
   /SCSIORDINAL:0
In the previous example, you would need to change the value in SCSI(1) to SCSI(0).

Note: On non-x86 - based computers, you need to modify system boot parameters.

In general, you should disable an adapter and test to see if Windows NT boots before physically removing it. In this manner, if Windows NT fails to boot, you can power down and restart Windows NT to revert to the last known good control set.

Additional query words: prodnt
Keywords : kbhw ntdriver nthw
Platform : WinNT

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Last reviewed: April 4, 1997
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