A program that uses the Performance Data Helper library to open a performance object may stop responding on a Windows XP-based computer (917022)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

SYMPTOMS

Microsoft Windows XP limits the combined length of the counter names of a performance object. The effective limit is a maximum size of 8 KB of characters. When you surpass this limit, a heap corruption occurs when a program uses the Performance Data Helper (PDH) library to open a performance object. For example, a heap corruption occurs when the Perfmon.exe utility or a third-party performance monitoring program opens a performance object. Additionally, the heap corruption causes the program to stop responding.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because of an incorrect check to determine whether a PDH buffer size must be increased to hold more data.

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 XP 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

To install this hotfix, you must have Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed on your computer.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your 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 item in Control Panel.
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Pdh.dll5.1.2600.2874283,64824-Mar-200604:44x86

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the terminology that is used in this article, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/26/2006
Keywords:kbQFE kbHotfixServer kbWinXPsp3fix kbWinXPpreSP3fix kbfix kbbug kbpubtypekc KB917022 kbAudITPRO
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