Service Pack 6 Updates Windows NT Kernel to Support Future Processors (238891)

SUMMARY

The Windows NT 4.0 kernel currently contains two restrictions that limit the kernel's use to certain processors:

A check for a Pentium processor that was never released.
A processor bit configuration that limits the maximum processor family to seven.

RESOLUTION

Windows NT Server or Workstation 4.0

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/servicepacks/ -or-
152734how to obtain the latest windows nt 4.0 service pack

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/overview.asp

Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition.

This problem was first corrected in Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 6 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6.

MORE INFORMATION

Both of these checking routines are disabled when you apply Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6, so Windows NT 4.0 can easily support future processors.

This behavior is related to the processing of the data returned by the KiSetProcessorType() function in the Windows NT 4.0 kernel for Intel-based computers.