AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1545 08-16-96 TITLE: Manh S/6200 Dual CPU Fails w/NT 3.51 SP4 SUMMARY Manhattan S/6200 systems with dual CPUs and DPT PM/3224W RAID Controllers may fail with Microsoft Windows NT Server, version 3.51, and Service Pack 4. Under heavy swap loads, the system may fail with the message KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR fault. The issues affects the following system: 501832-3XX. ISSUE An update to the file SCSIDISK.SYS made in Service Pack 4 for Microsoft NT Server, version 3.51, causes the Manhattan S/6200 server to fail when it is configured with dual processors and a DPT PM/3224W RAID controller. The error will most often be generated during heavy swap loads, for example during intense Standard Query Language (SQL) transactions. The error message displayed by the system is: KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR fault. This issue will not occur with the Adaptec 2940W PCI SCSI Controller shipped with some Manhattan S/6200 systems. This issue will not occur when using older versions of the file SCSIDISK.SYS, such as those shipped with the Microsoft Windows NT Server, version 3.51, distribution CD-ROM discs. The error can be corrected by using the earlier versions of this file. See the ACTION section below for more information on replacing this file. BACKGROUND The SCSIDISK.SYS file was modified in the Microsoft Service Pack 4 for Windows NT Server, version 3.51. The modification led to the issue documented in this bulletin. The failing version of the SCSIDISK.SYS file is dated 3-6-96 and is 21,808 bytes in size. The operational version of the SCSIDISK.SYS file is dated 5-26-95 and is 19,952 bytes in size. An update to the firmware on the DPT PM/3224W SCSI RAID controller also resolves this issue. The newer version of the firmware ensures that the cache is not disabled by the SCSIDISK.SYS file. If the firmware has been updated, it is not necessary to replace the SCSIDISK.SYS file. The failing version of the DPT firmware is 7G2. The updated version of the DPT firmware is 7GM. ACTION This issue can be corrected by replacing the Service Pack 4 version of the SCSIDISK.SYS file with an older version. The problem is also corrected with an updated version of the DPT PM/3224W firmware. Follow the instructions below to resolve this issue. REPLACING THE SCSIDISK.SYS FILE Replace the SCSIDISK.SYS file from Service Pack 4 with the SCSIDISK.SYS file included with the Microsoft Windows NT Server, version 3.51, distribution CD-ROM disc. To replace the SCSIDISK.SYS file, follow the instructions below: 1. Insert the Microsoft Windows NT Server, version 3.51, CD-ROM disc in the CD-ROM drive of the server. 2. Using the File Manager application, rename the file SCSIDISK.SYS in the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS directory to SCSIDISK.TMP. 3. Copy the file SCSIDISK.SYS from the \I386 directory of the CD-ROM drive to the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS directory on the server. 4. The file on the CD-ROM should have the date 5-26-95 and should be 19,952 bytes in size. 5. Remove the CD-ROM disc from the CD-ROM drive. 6. Reboot the server. UPDATING THE DPT FIRMWARE This modification should be performed by a qualified service technician. AST strongly recommends that this update be completed by an AST Authorized Service Center. In no case will AST Research, Inc. be liable for damage to the system and its components, or loss of data caused by improper modification. The DPT PM/3224W firmware is contained in an EEPROM at location U8 on the SCSI RAID controller itself. The firmware can not be flashed by a software utility. To replace the firmware, the PM/3224W controller with firmware revision 7G2 (234440-002) must be replaced with a PM/3224W with firmware revision 7GM (234440-003). Prior to replacing the SCSI controller, follow the precautionary steps below to protect data on the RAID sub-system. 1. Back-up all drives in the system. 2. Note the RAID settings in the DPT Storage Manager Utility. 3. Record all system resource settings in the Configuration Listing section (section D) of the AST Manhattan S and W Series Installation and Maintenance Manual (part number 003277-001). 4. Follow all standard safety precautions outlined in section 1.3 of the AST Manhattan S and W Series Installation and Maintenance Manual (part number 003277-001). NOTES The DPT Storage Manager diskettes have also been modified to match the SmartRom change on the DPT RAID controller. New part numbers on diskettes are: 912794-035 Disk 1 of 2 Version 1.02 912794-036 Disk 2 of 2 Version 1.02 Files 12794035.EXE and 12794036.EXE are available on one of AST's On-Line! services as follows: AST WWW Site: http://www.ast.com AST On-Line! BBS*: See IB0001.TXT CompuServe: GO: ASTFORUM Prodigy: Jump: astsupport For Additional information on these files, see Software Bulletin 0308 on AST's On-Line! services. TAN # 000648EB --------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this data sheet is subject to change without notice. AST Research, Inc. shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing, performance, or use of this material. This material contains information protected by copyright. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from AST Research, Inc. All rights reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------