Err Msg: STOP 0x0000001e {0xc000005, 0xa1000aa7, 0x0, 0x00440194} in Win32k.sys (224982)

SYMPTOMS

When the value of the process ID (PID) of any given process exceeds 65,535 or 0x10000, Win32k.sys generates the following error message on a blue screen:

STOP 0x0000001e {0xc000005, 0xa1000aa7, 0x00000000, 0x00440194}

NOTE: The first parameter will always be 0xc0000005 and the second parameter will always fall within the memory range of Win32k.sys.

CAUSE

When a process terminates, Win32k.sys must release structures allocated by that process. Win32k.sys tracks these structures by PID number. The driver Win32k.sys only supports PID numbers within the 0-65,535 range (ushort).

This problem occurs because a program is not releasing thread handles. When a thread is created, a handle is allocated out of the system handle table as well as the process handle table. This system handle table is the same handle table process IDs come from. This can cause the value of the process ID numbers to exceed 65,535 or 0x10000.

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-
152734 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/directory/overview.asp

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, 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 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

After you install the hotfix, if you attempt to create a process with an ID value greater than 65,535, the following pop-up error message is displayed and the process create does not work:

Initialization of the dynamic link library USER32.DLL failed. The process is terminating abnormally.

To find the process that is not releasing thread handles, use Performance Monitor to find a process with a high handle count.