Windows NT for PowerPC FAQ

Some common questions we get about Windows NT on PowerPC are:

What does the "NT" in Windows NT stand for?

The NT in Windows NT stands for New Technology. It represents the multitasking and multithreaded operating system that was designed for portability around a "microkernel", and which goes far beyond the capabilities of DOS and Windows. Back to Top.

Is the PowerPC Edition of Windows NT the same as the other versions of NT?

Designing an operating system around a "microkernel" means that a great deal of the code, and therefore the interface that the user sees, is exactly the same between hardware platforms. Only a small slice of code that interfaces directly with the computer's hardware needs to be rewritten as Microsoft Windows NT is ported between different hardware platforms using different processors. To make things even worse, there are two distinct versions of PowerPC Windows NT. Microsoft has PowerPC Code on it's 3.51 and 4.0 CD's, and IBM created it's own IBM Windows NT PowerPC Edition code. The easist way to tell what CD you have is to do a dir on it. If you see an ALPHA subdirectory, you have the common code. Back to Top.

What exactly is ARC, and why isn't it on my Intel NT platform?

ARC stands for Advanced Risc Computing, and is an industry standard "Boot Disk" device for Windows NT. It is a common element to all platforms that use a RISC chip as a microprocessor (like PowerPC, MIPS R4000, and DEC Alpha). CISC chips (like the Intel 80x86) are not subject to this special boot process. To understand the ARC screens, take the Guided Tour. Back to Top.

What are the system requirements for Windows NT (PowerPC Edition)?

The minimum hardware configuration is:

601 or higher PowerPC-based system
16MB of memory (although more is recommended)
CD-ROM drive (4X IDE or SCSI)
540MB of available hard-disk space (110MB for the operating system)

What kind of programs can I run under Windows NT (PowerPC Edition)?

You can naturally run any Windows NT programs compiled for the PowerPC processor. Which operating system level you have governs what kind of code you can run. If you are using 3.51, you can run Windows 286 Standard Mode programs and DOS 286 compatiable applications. A good way to test if Windows applications will run under Windows NT (PowerPC Edition) is to start Microsoft Windows on your x86-based system with the /S option. This will force Windows into Standard 286-mode. Any programs that run while Windows is in this mode, should also run under Windows NT (PowerPC Edition). DOS applications are a little harder to check and sometimes have the tendency to try to take direct control of the computer's hardware (which multitasking operating systems likeWindows NT won't allow). The best way to find out is to work with the application's vendor or check with your local support center. If you have Windows NT 4.0 programs, you can run Enhanced Mode Windows applications and DOS 386 compatiable programs. Be warned, however, that any application that wants to install a driver or tries to talk directly to hardware will be stopped. This precludes about 80% of DOS applications and 20% of Windows programs. There is also support for character-based POSIX (UNIX-like) programs, but they must be re-compiled for PPC NT, just like Win32 applications. An OS/2 1.X subsystem that is capable of running OS/2 1.x character-mode applications is also included, in case you have an application you can't live without. Back to Top.

Are there any restrictions on the type of 32-bit NT applications I run?

In order for a particular program to take full advantage of Windows NT, it must be compiled for the system on which it runs. Essentially this means that a program such as Microsoft Word for NT could be referred to as Microsoft Word for NT (80x86 version), Microsoft Word for NT (PowerPC Edition), Microsoft Word for NT (MIPS version), and so on. Vendors of 32-bit applications written for Microsoft Windows NT are aware of this and make decisions to port their code as Windows NT becomes available on different platforms. If you have a favorite Windows NT 32-bit application, contact the vendor of that application to ask if they are porting their code to Windows NT (PowerPC Edition). If you see [Application] is not a valid NT Application or Cannot load program, or Dos Error --11, NT is telling you that the program is not compiled for this processor. Back to Top.

Can I run my games on Windows NT?

Of course, but see the question regarding the types of programs that can be run. Windows NT is a multitasking operating system that cannot afford to let games take control of the hardware and run as fast as they like. Games that do run have to share the system with other programs running and therefore, depending on what else is happening on the system, may run more slowly than they would if they were run on a system not built to multitask. Back to Top.

When I install Windows NT (PowerPC Edition), why do I have to give up an extra 5MB of space on my hard drive?

While NTFS is NT's preferred file system, a small FAT partition is required as part of the ARC specification. This type of partition will be created on any system that uses a RISC processor and runs Windows NT. See the ARC Guided Tour section for an explaination of the ARC menus. Back to Top.

What is the difference between NT Workstation and NT Server?

NT Workstation is designed for small "Workgroup" environments or as a stand alone installation. It can share files and print resources and also works well as a client system in a networked environment. NT Server allows creation and administration of "domains" for establishing large enterprise networks. It has much more robust tools like DHCP, WINS, Remote Access and Novell File Server Sharing. Back to Top.

What is the difference between Workgroup and Domain models?

Workgroups are small clusters of computers (typically 10 or less) that share file and print access. Each machine contains it's own user base, meaning that John Smith's account on Machine1 is not necessarily the same as, or may not even exist, on Machine2. A workgroup also uses relatively little network overhead, since machines only talk to each other when the users wish to share resources. Domains are designed for large numbers of computers. They provide all the advantages of the workgroup model, but add centralized administration and security as well. This means that John Smith can log into any machine in the domain and his account information does not change. There is also more robust support for auto-configuration of workstations (DHCP), dial in support (Remote Access Services), Internet naming services (WINS), and better file and print management. As a network grows beyond ten machines, the domain model makes the most sense. Back to Top.

How can I get into NT if I've forgotten my password and don't know any Administrator passwords?

The best way to accomplish this is to upgrade the system. This will allow you to re-enter the Administrator password for the machine. Because Windows NT is designed to be a secure system, there is NO backdoor into the system. Back to Top.

Where do I install after market devices into Windows NT?

You install networks cards from the Network applet in Control Panel in the Main program group. You install additional SCSI cards, Tape Drives, Mice and Keyboards from the NT Setup Icon in the Main Program group. If the devices are not listed in the standard devices for NT, make sure that you have the vendor's Windows NT (PowerPC Edition) setup disk ready. If you are unsure about the compatibility of the device you plan to install, your device vendor can tell you if the device has been tested in an IBM Power Series Personal Computer. Back to Top.

Can I load the drivers I use in Windows into Windows NT?

No. Device drivers such as sound cards, tape drives, SCSI devices, touch-screen drivers and other such hardware access software MUST be compiled for Windows NT on whatever platform you choose to run it. Consult your option vendor to see if there is support for Windows NT. Back to Top.

When I load NT on my system with a GXT250P/GXT255P installed, it can't recognize the video. How do I fix this?

Support for the GXT250P/GXT255P was planned for Windows NT 4.0 PowerPC Edition which never shipped. A video device diskette can be downloaded here, but there is no support for it. It has known problems running in 800x600 resolution, but other resolutions are fine. Simply unzip the file to a diskette and insert it when prompted during setup.
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When I install NT on an 860 Thinkpad, it prompts me for a HAL Diskette. How do I fix this?

Support for the 860 Thinkpad was planned for Windows NT 4.0 PowerPC Edition which never shipped. A video device diskette can be downloaded here, but there is no support for it. Simply unzip he file to a blank diskette with a -d option and insert the disk when prompted. This diskette also contains the video drivers for this system.
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How do I configure my ISA 16/4 Dip Switch Card?

There is online configuration chart here. We suggest that if you are configuring it as PRIMARY, then use Memory Range CC00. If you configuring it to ALTERNATE, we suggest you use Memory Range DC00.
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What interrupts are available for adapters under NT on my PowerPC Box?

IRQ	Description
0	Interval Timer
1	Keyboard
2	Unassigned(Cascade from controller 2)*
3	Serial Port 2
4	Serial Port 1
5	(Parallel Port 2)**
6	Diskette Drive
7	Parallel Port 1
8	Real Time Clock 8
9	Unassigned(Cascade to Controller 1)*
10	Business Audio***
11	Unassigned
12	PS/2 Mouse
13	SCSI Controller/IDE Controller
14	Unassigned/Secondary IDE Controller
15	unassigned (PCI Adapters)

*	2/9 are effectively the same interrupt on all ISA machines
**	LPT2: is not implemented on all PowerPC Machines
***	On 440, 43P, 820,830,850, 860 models

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