IBM Support

Lost hardware interrupt with NetWare 3X / 4X - PC Server 325/330

Troubleshooting


Problem

RETAIN tip H007138: For NetWare 3.xx the message "Primary interrupt controller detected a lost hardware interrupt" is displayed at the NetWare server console but the system continues to run without abend or system hang.

Resolving The Problem

Source
RETAIN tip H007138

Symptom
For NetWare 3.xx the message "Primary interrupt controller detected a lost hardware interrupt" is displayed at the NetWare
server console but the system continues to run without abend or system hang.

For NetWare 4.xx there will not be any symptom unless the setting "DISPLAY LOST INTERRUPT ALERTS" is set to "ON". If the setting is set to "ON", the symptom would be the same as stated above.

Affected configurations
All of the following must be true for this tip to apply:

The system is a PC Server 325, type 8639, model EJ0/ES0/ESV/RS0
---------- OR ---------
The system is a PC Server 330, type 8640, model ES0/ES2/ESS/EM2

All system diagnostics pass

The system hardware is properly configured

The system is running Novell NetWare 3.12 / 4.10 / or 4.11


Solution
1. Download the "PC Server 325/330 BIOS 45A" or higher from this link .

The file is a self-extracting executable file that will prompt for a diskette.

2. Cold boot the server with the BIOS 45A diskette, and follow the on-screen prompts to flash the system BIOS.


NOTE: DO NOT interrupt the BIOS flash program.

3. Reboot the server with the flash diskette removed, and press
F1 for Setup/Configuration.

4. Select "start options" from the Configuration Setup Utility Menu.

5. Set the "virtual wire I/O APIC" to "Disable", then press
Esc to exit this screen, save the settings and exit the Utility.

NOTE: If the symptoms persist, see RETAIN tip H162440 for issues specific to NetWare and use of interrupt 15.

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

Older System x:Novell NetWare

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Document Information

Modified date:
28 January 2019

UID

ibm1MCGN-3SXRKU