Reference Counter Overflow in Security Descriptor May Cause Blue Screen Error (155495)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0

This article was previously published under Q155495

SYMPTOMS

After several weeks of operation, a very busy Windows NT computer may experience a blue screen error message. This behavior has been observed on some Microsoft Exchange servers and SAP R/3 servers.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the reference counter overflows due to the intense use of security descriptors within an application (for example, for RPC impersonation).

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or 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 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	6/24/2004
Keywords:	kbbug kbfix KB155495