16-Bit Program May Stop Responding While Calling GlobalAlloc (324452)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
This article was previously published under Q324452 IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you
modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore
the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the
registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry
SYMPTOMS
If a 16-bit program calls GlobalAlloc, the program may stop responding, and you may receive the following error message:
Program Name caused a General Protection Fault in
module KRNL386.EXE at 0001:6382
Choose close. Program Name will close.
NOTE: The hexadecimal address where the problem occurs is exactly 0001:6382.
CAUSE
This issue may occur because in Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and later, a program compatibility shim loads in the Ntvdm.exe address space to propagate environment variables. This behavior may affect a 16-bit program, which is sensitive to 16-bit memory allocations.
RESOLUTIONWARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve
problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own
risk.
To work around this problem, delete the following registry key, and then restart the computer:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session
Manager\AppCompatibility\ntvdm.exe
The 16-Bit Windows Programming guidelines recommend that GlobalAlloc be called only when it is necessary. These guidelines recommend that you use LocalAlloc instead.
STATUSMicrosoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 11/19/2003 |
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| Keywords: | kbenv kbprb KB324452 |
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