FIX: You experience slow performance or a program stops responding when the program calls a COM method and the MIDL defines an [out] pointer to pointer argument (898781)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you start a program that makes a call to a Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) method, you may experience slow performance or the program may stop responding (hang).

This problem occurs on the server side when the Microsoft Interface Definition Language (MIDL) defines an [out] pointer to pointer argument.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the procedure format string that is generated by the type library marshaler incorrectly marks the [out] pointer-to-pointer argument. This behavior causes a memory leak of 24 bytes every time that a COM method call is made.

RESOLUTION

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 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

You must have Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed to apply this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) 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
  ------------------------------------------------------
  28-Apr-2005  19:29  5.1.2600.2665  580,608  Rpcrt4.dll

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the MIDL-generated marshaler instead of the type library marshaler. To do this, do not use the [oleautomation] attribute for the interface. Then, register the MIDL-generated proxy/stub.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/26/2006
Keywords:kbWinXPpreSP3fix kbfix kbBug kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbpubtypekc KB898781 kbAudDeveloper kbAudITPRO
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