Compaq, Microsoft Part Ways On NT-Alpha

New York2:17 PM EST Thurs., Aug. 26, 1999

Compaq Computer Corp., which was providing the 64-bit Alpha processor used as a development platform for Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 2000, officially pulled the plug on any further development of that port, executives said publicly.

At the same time, Microsoft, Redmond, Wash., said it would stop its own development effort and concentrate on running 64-bit Windows 2000 on the Intel Corp. platform.

Enrico Pesatori, Compaq's senior vice president for enterprise computing, said in a letter to customers Thursday that the Houston-based company would focus its Alpha platform on its Tru64 Unix-based operating system as well as Linux.

"We have decided to focus all of our Windows NT efforts on our Intel-based ProLiant platform, where we have clear leadership and a strong track record of innovation. . . . We will end systems development for all 32-bit and 64-bit Windows NT products on Alpha with the delivery of V4 SP6 in late 1999," Pesatori wrote.

The executive reiterated the company's renewed investments in Alpha-based systems running Tru64 Unix, as well as Linux.

"The decision to end support for Windows NT on Alpha systems was not an easy one," Pesatori said in the letter. ". . . But we are convinced that this decision is the right one for Compaq and its customers."

The decision to stop development of Alpha for the 64-bit version of the NT/Windows 2000 platform was not made until earlier this week after internal discussion among Compaq executives, said a company spokeswoman.