Microsoft KB Archive/248191

= SCSI Time-Out Error Messages with EMC Symmetrix Disk Arrays =

Article ID: 248191

Article Last Modified on 3/1/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

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This article was previously published under Q248191



IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry



SYMPTOMS
If you use Windows NT 4.0-based or Windows 2000 Server-based servers using EMC Symmetrix disk arrays, you may log SCSI time-out errors during the online upgrades and reconfiguration operations.

Event Viewer Example:

Event ID: 9

Source: EMC_Driver_name

Description: The device, \Device\ScsiPort0, did not respond within the timeout period.



CAUSE
EMC's Symmetrix disk array supports on line upgrade and reconfiguration operations that require stalling I/O operations at certain points during the operation. If these operations are carried out while the Symmetrix array is under load, the I/O stall may last longer than the default 10 second time-out value that Windows NT 4.0 sets for SCSI operations. This timeout value is 20 seconds for Windows 2000.



RESOLUTION
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue, add the TimeOutValue DWORD value in the following registry key. EMC recommends setting the value data to 60 seconds in decimal format.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Disk\

This procedure is described in the Windows NT 4.0 DDK documentation release notes.

EMC's Hardware Compatibility testing for HCL certification is done with TimeOutValue set to 60 seconds.



MORE INFORMATION
Most computers do not need this registry value. If you have a mass storage device that is continually timing out on complex operations, you can use this registry value to set the time-out period to a slightly higher value. Make sure that the programs you use do not have time out logic, which might cause a problem if this value is reset. Consult your ISV or program provider before you change the SCSI timeout parameters.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Additional query words: MSCS Cluster

Keywords: kb3rdparty kbenv kberrmsg kbnetwork kbprb KB248191

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