The correct file is not installed when you chain multiple hotfixes (815062)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP3
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server SP3
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP6

SYMPTOMS

When you install multiple hotfixes without restarting your computer between each install (chaining), the correct binary may not be installed on your computer.

This problem may occur with hotfixes for Windows XP or Windows 2000 that were created before December, 2002 (even if you use the QChain.exe file or the QChain functionality included in Windows XP and Windows 2000 hotfixes released since May 18, 2001) or hotfixes for Windows NT 4.0 (regardless of when they were created).

Note To determine when a hotfix was created, view the Modified date on the hotfix installation package.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when two hotfixes contain different versions of the same binary and QChain.exe file, or when the hotfix installation package for Windows XP or Windows 2000 hotfixes that were created before December, 2002, obtains the file version of the binary based on the file in memory instead of the file on the disk. For example, this problem may occur when you follow these steps:
  1. Your computer has File.dll version 5 installed, and you install a hotfix with File.dll version 8 while File.dll is in use. This creates a Pending File Rename operation for File.dll version 8 to be installed after you restart your computer (before the file is used by any programs).
  2. You do not restart your computer, because you are chaining the install of another hotfix that contains File.dll version 12.
  3. You install the hotfix with File.dll version 12 while File.dll is not in use (the program that was previously using the file has been closed). Although the installer successfully replaces File.dll on the disk with version 12, the Pending File Rename operation for File.dll version 8 still exists.
  4. You restart your computer, and File.dll version 12 is replaced with File.dll version 8 by the Pending File Rename operation created in step 1.

RESOLUTION

Microsoft has released an updated version of the QChain.exe command-line tool that resolves this issue. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
DownloadDownload the 815062 package now.

MORE INFORMATION

The Qchain.exe tool allows system administrators to safely chain hotfixes together. Hotfix chaining involves the installation of multiple hotfixes without restarting the computer between each installation. Without this tool, the only supported method is to restart the computer after each hotfix installation.

Note QChain functionality is included with all Windows XP and Windows 2000 hotfixes released since May 18, 2001. However, Windows XP and Windows 2000 hotfixes released before December, 2002, do not include the update discussed this article. If you are chaining multiple Windows XP or Windows 2000 hotfixes released before December, 2002, and two or more of the hotfixes contain different versions of the same binary, make sure that you use the updated version of QChain.exe that is discussed in this article. For additional information about Qchain.exe and how to install multiple hotfixes with only one reboot, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

296861 How to install multiple Windows updates or hotfixes with only one reboot

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/27/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbprb KB815062
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