An updated Storport storage driver (version 5.2.3790.139) is available for Windows Server 2003 (837413)

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Microsoft Storport storage driver for your host bus adapter (HBA) removable storage, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

On a computer with more than 4 gigabytes (GB) of random access memory (RAM), Storport.sys may generate a kernel-mode Stop error message. On adapters that use 32-bit direct memory access (DMA) on a computer that uses Physical Address Extension and that has more than 4 GB of RAM, the hardware abstraction layer (HAL) may double-map the buffers. Therefore, Storport may pass the virtual address of the original, incorrect buffer to the miniport driver. This problem may occur when you use commands that expect mapped buffers, such as the inquiry command. When you install the hotfix that is described in this article, Storport passes the virtual address of the correct buffer after obtaining it from the HAL.
If you start your server from an external disk that uses a Storport driver, the installation of some non-Microsoft multipath failover software may generate a kernel-mode "0xa" Stop error message. This problem occurs because Storport handles the IRP_MN_USAGE_NOTIFICATION I/O request packet (IRP) incorrectly. When the lower driver does not complete the IRP synchronously, a Stop error is generated.
Storport handles SRB_FUNCTION_FLUSH_QUEUE differently than the SCSIPort driver does. This may cause incorrect behavior. For example, SRB_FUNCTION_FLUSH expects the port driver to complete all I/O requests in the logical unit number (LUN) queue and to unfreeze the queue. When you install the hotfix that is described in this article, Storport implements this functionality correctly.
Storport incorrectly uses the ExAllocatePoolWithTag function instead of the ExAllocatePool function. Therefore, some memory allocations are performed without a tag.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

This hotfix has been replaced by the hotfix that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

838894 An updated Storport storage driver (version 5.2.3790.173) is available for Windows Server 2003

837413 hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

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

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

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.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix replaces 817789, 820362, 821138, 823728, 824494, 825236, and 828021.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

   Date         Time   Version       Size    File name
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   09-Mar-2004  23:33  5.2.3790.139  72,704  Storport.sys
   09-Mar-2004  19:26                   271  Branches.inf
   09-Mar-2004  23:56                 9,766  Kb837413.cat
   09-Mar-2004  23:51                   354  Updatebr.inf
   09-Mar-2004  23:51                 5,709  Update_rtmqfe.inf