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STATUS_ABIOS_SELECTOR_NOT_AVAILABLE
ABIOS protected-mode data uses segment-and-selector based references
IBM ABIOS supports protected-mode operating environments and documents conversion of initialized ABIOS data pointers into segment/offset form for protected-mode use. STATUS_ABIOS_SELECTOR_NOT_AVAILABLE should therefore be treated as a selector-resource/setup condition in that legacy execution model. It is not a CSS selector, a device selection failure, or a generic request to choose another ABIOS Logical ID.
The distinction from STATUS_ABIOS_INVALID_SELECTOR is important. A selector-not-available result points toward inability to obtain or reserve the selector needed by the ABIOS path; an invalid-selector result points at a selector value that fails validation when used. The exact Windows allocator behind this status is not publicly documented, so do not assign a modern heap or handle failure mechanism to it without a trace. Instead, preserve the protected-mode initialization stage and the descriptor/selector bookkeeping visible to the old driver or emulator.
In a reproducer, record whether the failure occurs while initializing the ABIOS common data area, converting pointers, installing a device interface, or issuing the first protected-mode request. Compare the descriptor state before and after repeated initialization. Selector exhaustion or bookkeeping corruption can be masked by rebooting an emulator; the useful evidence is the allocation sequence and the selector/descriptor state at the first failure.
What to inspect
- Record the protected-mode initialization stage at which selector acquisition fails.
- Preserve descriptor-table and selector-allocation evidence before rebooting the system or emulator.
- Separate inability to obtain a selector from rejection of an already supplied selector value.
References
- IBM: Advanced BIOS (ABIOS) manual
- IBM: ABIOS for PS/2 computers and compatibles
- IBM: PS/2 Hardware Interface Technical Reference
- Microsoft Open Specifications: NTSTATUS values
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