Event log may not grow to configured size (183097)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0

This article was previously published under Q183097

SYMPTOMS

Although you have increased the "Maximum Log Size" in Event Viewer from the default of 512 KB to a very high value, the corresponding event log file does not grow beyond a certain size.

CAUSE

With Event Viewer, you can specify a maximum log size of 4 GB separately for every log (System, Security, and Application). In the current design of the event log facility, the combined size of all log files does not grow over approximately 300 MB, depending on the memory situation. If the log is configured to "Do not overwrite events," new events will not be written.

RESOLUTION

Avoid setting the event log this high. Depending on the amount of events, back up and clear the event log on a regular basis, and configure the log to "Overwrite Events as Needed."

To back up the log, you can use Windows NT Backup, or DUMPEL from the Windows NT Resource Kit.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:5/17/2005
Keywords:kbbug KB183097