SP5

The latest Service Pack is now released, as I am sure most of you know.  The
SP5 I downloaded was about 34MB, and loaded with no ill effects.  I did not
have any pre-existing condition that needed a new SP, but I was interested.
The readme.txt is on the site here:

http://support.microsoft.com/download/support/mslfiles/NT4SP440.TXT
<http://support.microsoft.com/download/support/mslfiles/NT4SP440.TXT>

You can download this file to see what new fixes are contained in SP5 .  Get
the readme file first, then decide.  If you wanted the Y2K fixes of SP4 but
were a little gun-shy and didn't download it, stand by a few weeks to see
the reports on SP5.  I hereby invite any sites which have implemented SP5 to
report to me so I can share the data.  Send them directly to me
(rcapps@executive.com) with "SP5" in the subject line, and I'll share the
information. 

Tip

I've learned a fantastic repair process for the blue screen message
INACESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE.  After I tell you about it, I will give some
examples of how you can get the error.

If you're stuck on this blue screen, take your Windows NT Setup Boot
floppies and begin a new install (do not choose the option to upgrade, but
choose "N" for a new install).  When prompted for a directory name, choose
WINNT2 by simply adding a '2' to the suggested location, which is the
current location of your crashed NT.  Choose "Leave the Current File System
intact" when given the partition choices.  By installing to the same
partition, you will be given the chance to do a complete scan.  This is it!
Do the thorough scan and, when it's complete, you will see a message that
indicates that changes were made.  The message will direct you to press 'F8'
to restart your computer and begin the setup.  Remove your floppy and/or
your CD-ROM, and press F8.  When your machine reboots, you will see your
familiar boot menu and the process continuing normally.

What's left is to log in to your regular installation. There will be no
WINNT2 directory or changes to your boot.ini but simply your repaired NT
installation.

On one occasion I helped an administrator through this procedure, and
afterward I could hear the cheering in the background when the file server
came back online.

I do not profess that this works every time, or is appropriate for all
instances of the above error.  I do sincerely proclaim that it has worked
dozens of times to a complete recovery.  I am trying to discover the exact
tool from Microsoft for accomplishing this purpose, and how to isolate it as
a recovery tool.  You will know it when I do.  That's a promise!

Examples of how you can get the error:  Installation of a new SCSI adaptor
or controller.
The driver for the boot device fails during the initialization process.
Error occurs after running chkdsk.

Book Review

Title: Key to Optimizing and Tuning Windows NT 4.0  (Windows NT Magazine
Instant Solutions)
Author:  James Michael Stewart
Publisher:  29th Street Press
ISBN: 1-882419-99-5

Here is a new book from Windows NT magazine that is packed full of
no-frills, direct steps for many of the tricks that you can use to optimize
your system.  Worth special mention is the section on setting up several
performance monitors for both the machine and the network.  I found these
steps easy to follow and clear to understand.  This small book can
definitely help your system and will fit in your back pocket.  It has lots
of screen captures and descriptions of utilities.

This is one of a series of Windows NT magazine books called "Instant
Solutions".  The value of the book is the time you will save wading through
much larger and more expensive books for the same tips.

----------------------------------------------------

If you found this article of use or help, let Roger know!   Write to him at
rcapps@executive.com.

@Macarlo, Inc.
@Macarlo's Shareware & Web
OS/2
Java Lobby Member
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