Terminal Server Hangs and Continuously Loops in Win32k.sys (230558)

SYMPTOMS

Problems may occur when you run either a macro, a query on an extensive Microsoft Access database, or when you use either Rational or Microsoft Visual Test scripts. The most apparent problem is when a user session is disconnected when using a Rational Visual Test script against a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, for example. As soon as you disconnect, Excel takes 99% of the CPU and begins to leak memory.

This problem occurs with various server configurations including single-, dual-, and quad-processor systems.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when both Citrix ICA clients and Microsoft RDP Win32 clients are used. The problem seems to be far worse when using the RDP client instead of the ICA client. This problem also exists when you install Terminal Server Service Pack 4.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, Service Pack 5.

MORE INFORMATION

Disconnected user sessions running macros cause high CPU utilization. This high CPU utilization could be taken by the program the macro is running against or by Explorer.exe. This program can not be stopped through either Task Manager or by using the kill command from a command prompt (Kill -f xxx or Kill xxx /id:xxx). In addition, the user's session cannot be reset through Tsadmin.exe. Restarting the server is the only way to recover. If the user reestablishes a connection, he/she gets a new session ID, the connection that stops responding is never reused. Eventually, the server running the programs does not work because of a lack of available resources and subsequently crashes.