[RESOLVED] Windows NT 3.1 fails to install

[win2kgamer]

In PCem-dev commit 6e158be (and I'm quite sure this happened in v14 as well), Windows NT 3.1 refuses to install on what should be a supported system (this OS is infamous for a very paranoid CPU detection routine that required workarounds to install the OS in Virtual PC.) This issue occurs in both the interpreter and the recompiler.

Screenshot from 2020-03-24 23-15-23.png (9.98 KiB) Viewed 5389 times

Machine configuration:
Machine: [486] AMI 486 clone
CPU: Intel 486DX2/66
Memory: 16MB
Video: Tseng ET4000AX
HDD: Adaptec AHA-1542C with 504MB HDD
FDD: 3.5" 1.44MB
CD-ROM: 2x PCemCD
Mouse: Microsoft 2-button serial

Workaround: Alter INITIAL.INF and SETUP.INF so that the CPU type is hardcoded (STF_PROCESSOR variable).

EDIT: I tested Windows NT 3.5 (which has a similar CPU detection routine) on the same machine configuration and it was able to install without any issues and no workaround was needed.

EDIT2: Seems to be an issue with my Windows NT 3.1 Workstation CD image, the floppy version I tested and a known-good copy of Advanced Server worked fine.

[SA1988]

You're likely using a tampered copy.

[win2kgamer]

I just tested my floppy version and it works correctly on the same machine configuration.

[omarsis81]

Did you try using that CD image on a real computer?

[win2kgamer]

@omarsis81 I did not as my real 386DX/33 (which has an Adaptec 1542 and a SCSI CD-ROM) is dedicated to games at the moment and my P166's video card is too new. I did figure out the image I was using (which I've had since the Virtual PC 5.x era) had SETUP and INITIAL INFs dated 2003 - hence the image was altered. A known-good Advanced Server image and the floppy version of Workstation I have do work.