News

Compaq Kills 32-bit Windows NT on Alpha

• By Scott Bekker
• 08/23/1999

"Compaq has decided not to support 32-bit Windows 2000 on Alpha systems," a Compaq spokesman said. "For development of 64-bit Windows 2000, Alpha is the platform. This doesn’t change the partnership with Microsoft [Corp.]"

The spokesman’s remarks follow reports late last week that Compaq was laying off 100 engineers in Bellevue, Wash., where they worked closely with Microsoft to develop the Windows-NT-on-Alpha platform. "No decisions have been made on where [those engineers] will be," the spokesman said. "Some will take other positions within Compaq. There most likely will be layoffs to that team."

Most of the reports last week indicated that Compaq was scrapping NT on Alpha completely. Development of Microsoft’s 64-bit version of Windows 2000 has been taking place on the 64-bit Alpha chip. The 64-bit version of Windows 2000 is expected to be released next year in conjunction with the projected release of Intel Corp.’s first 64-bit chip, code-named Merced.

Alpha is Microsoft’s only remaining claim to multiplatform computing with its Windows NT operating system, which is closely associated with Intel’s processors. Microsoft previously eliminated support for the PowerPC and MIPS.

While Microsoft has sold nowhere near as many licenses for Windows NT on Alpha as it has on Intel, the Alpha platform has been strategically important because it allowed Microsoft to scale beyond the limitations of commodity PCs and servers.

Alpha was developed by the former Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC), and the facility affected by the layoffs was known as DECWest. Compaq’s troubles integrating DEC and another acquisition, Tandem Computers Inc., are widely blamed for Compaq’s recent financial troubles. Compaq president Michael Capellas recently projected 8,000 layoffs to save money.

During the last few months, Compaq officials have touted the 64-bit Alpha chip in relation to Compaq’s own Tru64 Unix and Linux, but they have said little about Windows NT.

Microsoft officials could not be reached for comment. -- Scott Bekker