Incorrect Microsoft Cluster Service Quorum Root Path May Cause Cluster to Stop Responding (Hang) (283370)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
Microsoft Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition

This article was previously published under Q283370

SYMPTOMS

If you type the incorrect path for the Root Path to be used for Quorum logging, this can cause the Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) to stop responding (hang). The Cluster service generates the following error message when you type a path with invalid characters:

An error occurred attempting to make 'Disk X:' the quorum resource.
The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.
Error ID: 123 (0000007b).

CAUSE

This problem can occur if you use a forward slash (/) character. If you use a forward slash, the Cluster service may stop responding. This occurs because, according to the logic of the operating system, a forward slash is a typing error, and it is supposed to be a back slash (\) character. The Cluster service does not make this assumption; it interprets it truly as a forward slash, and then it stops responding because this is an invalid character.

RESOLUTION

Start the Cluster service with the Quorum logging disabled, and correct the Quorum path designation. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

280353 How to Change Quorum Disk Designation

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

\MSCS\ is the default directory for Quorum logging if you change the directory to the following:

\MSCS/Quorum\

When you make the change in Cluster Administrator, it may accept this path and assume the path of \MSCS\Quorum\. When the Cluster service is started, it may not work at all because it looks for the exact path of \MSCS/Quorum\ and generates the following error message:

An error occurred attempting to make 'Disk X:' the quorum resource.
The remote procedure call failed.
Error ID: 1726 (000006be).

This can cause the entire Cluster to stop responding. Use caution when changing the Quorum Root Path because the Cluster service does not interpret invalid characters like the operating system does.

Modification Type:	Minor	Last Reviewed:	1/20/2006
Keywords:	kbbug kbClustering kbenv kberrmsg kbnofix w2000mscs KB283370