Hotsite: Remote Boot Workstations Hang, Fail to Complete Boot (113356)






This article was previously published under Q113356

SYMPTOMS

When attempting to boot from a server, RPL workstations may intermittently hang at the message 'RPL Loading...' and fail to complete the boot process. Rebooting the workstation generally cures this problem.

CAUSE

This can be caused by the workstation failing to receive the first frame (and possibly others) during the DLC Boot Block download.

RESOLUTION

Two fixes have been implemented in the RPL server code to maintain boot block synchronization during download if the workstation loses one or more frames and requires retransmission. The first makes sure the file being transmitted is closed and reopened if a transmission error occurs; this ensures that the amount of sent file data is properly calculated. The other sets the locate bit properly in an RPL FILE.DATA.RESPONSE frame when the first frame of the boot block (Sequence Number 0) has to be re-sent.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in LAN Manager version 2.2b. A fix to this problem is in development, but has not been regression-tested and may be destabilizing in production environments. Microsoft does not recommend implementing this fix at this time. Contact Microsoft Product Support Services for more information.

Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 7/30/2001
Keywords: KB113356