Windows NT Upgrade Err Msg: ... NtPathToDosPath reported...

• Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51

SYMPTOMS

When you install Windows NT, the following error message appears in the graphical user interface (GUI) portion of Windows NT Setup:

   External library procedure NtPathToDosPath reported the following error.
   'Unable to open the specified symbolic link object.'

CAUSE

This error indicates that the path to the installation media is no longer accessible. This error occurs when you have added new hardware to the computer (for example, a SCSI controller, a SCSI CD-ROM drive, or a ATAPI- compatible CD-ROM drive) before running Setup, but without adding the device drivers in the original Windows NT installation first. When Windows NT Setup reboots the computer to continue the GUI portion of setup, Windows NT finds only devices installed under the previous version of Windows NT (because you are running in the context of the original Windows NT installation.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do one of the following:

• If you upgrading a pervious version of Windows NT, ensure the hardware you are using operates correctly under the previous version.
• Run WINNT /B. The /B switch instructs Windows NT Setup to perform a diskless installation, eliminating the need for installation media (such as a CD-ROM), after rebooting into the GUI portion of Setup.