DOCUMENT:Q234351 16-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Memory Leak When Performance Counters Are Not Available PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbinterop kbnetwork kbtool kbWinNT4sp6fix ====================================================================== NEW SECTION page 374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5 - Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you use a program that attempts to gain access to a performance counter that has not been installed, your computer's performance may degrade or the computer may stop responding (hang) because of a memory leak. For example, if you use the Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 Healthmon tool on a computer that does not have the Microsoft Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) configured, the computer may hang and you may be required to restart your computer periodically. This problem may also occur if any application, such as system management products, tries to access performance counters on the computer in question. CAUSE ===== This problem occurs because memory is not being deallocated correctly when an attempt is made to write data to the corresponding performance counter that is not available. It may be necessary for you to determine which performance counters your program is attempting to update to ensure their availability. 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 WORKAROUND ========== To work around this problem, install the SNMP service on your computer. To do this: 1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network. 2. On the Services tab, click Add, and then double-click SNMP Service. 3. When you are prompted, type the full path to the installation files folder (for example, D:\I386), click Continue, and then click Close. 4. Reinstall the latest Windows NT 4.0 service pack, and then restart the computer. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6. MORE INFORMATION ================ If you are using the Healthmon tool and you have already installed Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 with the SMS hotfix, you may also experience this problem. For additional information about memory leaks and SNMP, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q196270 SNMP Agent Leaks Memory When Queried Additional query words: 4.00 SMS healthmon ====================================================================== Keywords : kbinterop kbnetwork kbtool kbWinNT4sp6fix Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400sp5 kbWinNTSEnt400sp4 kbWinNTS400sp5 kbWinNTS400sp4 kbWinNTS400search kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch Version : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5 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.