DOCUMENT:Q223275 16-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Computer Hangs Due to Large System Environment Variable Values PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0,4.0 SP4 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbWinNT4sp6fix ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4 - Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== After adding an environment variable that contains a large number of bytes, the computer will not restart. CAUSE ===== Certain process start up code for system processes (CSRSS, Autochk) were only allowing 512 bytes of space for system variables, which caused memory to be overwritten. RESOLUTION ========== Windows NT Server or Workstation 4.0 ------------------------------------ To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to: - http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ServicePacks/ -or- - Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition ---------------------------------------------- To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6. MORE INFORMATION ================ The new files in this hotfix increase the number of bytes to 4,000. Users should keep the total system environment variable size to 4,000 characters. This size also included the variable name. Additional query words: 4.00 ====================================================================== Keywords : kbWinNT4sp6fix Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW400sp4 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400sp4 kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400sp4 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch Version : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP4 Hardware : ALPHA x86 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.