    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

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