Windows NT 4.0 May Hang During Process Shutdown (294306)

CAUSE

Windows NT 4.0 may hang if a process allows a file handle to be inherited by a child process and the parent process (the original owner of the handle) is shut down unexpectedly. If the child process has initiated a synchronous read on the inherited file handle at the same time that the parent process is terminated, the file handle cannot be destroyed. This causes a deadlock in Object Manager and eventually results in a hang.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date        Time    Size       File name     Platform
   -----------------------------------------------------
   04/03/2001  06:13a    953,920  Ntkrnlmp.exe  Intel
   04/03/2001  06:13a    933,568  Ntoskrnl.exe  Intel
   04/03/2001  06:12a  1,401,472  Ntkrnlmp.exe  Alpha
   04/03/2001  06:12a  1,373,312  Ntoskrnl.exe  Alpha

Note: Because of file dependencies, this hotfix requires Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a.

Windows NT 4.0 May Hang During Process Shutdown (294306)

SYMPTOMS

CAUSE

RESOLUTION

STATUS