Console windows sit idle for a short time and then continue to run if extensive input or output operations are running in several console windows in Windows Server 2003 SP1 (923359)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP1, when used with:
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition

SYMPTOMS

On a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1)-based computer, if extensive input or output operations are running at the same time in several console windows, the console windows appear to sit idle for a short time and then continue to run. Extensive input or output operations include copying files or folders from one directory or drive to another.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because of the Csrss.exe process in Windows Server 2003. The Csrss.exe process is the user-mode part of the Win32 subsystem. Win32.sys is the kernel-mode portion. "CSRSS" represents "client/server run-time subsystem." Csrss.exe is a major subsystem that must be running at all times. The Csrss.exe process is responsible for console windows and some parts of the 16-bit virtual MS-DOS environment. The Csrss.exe process is also responsible for creating and deleting threads. Memory is allocated to the Csrss.exe process every time that the Cmd.exe process is started.

Note This problem is not a hardware-related issue.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce the Problem

Click Start, click Run, type cmd.exe, and then click OK.
Repeat step1 three times so that you have four console windows running at the same time.
In two console windows, issue the following xcopy commands to copy large directories into one target directory:
Console Window 1
```
C:\>xcopy c:\dirA\subdir c:\dirB /s /e /h 
```
Console Window 2
```
C:\>xcopy d:\dirC c:\dirB /s /e /h 
```
In the other two console windows, issue the following commands:
Console Window 3
```
C:\>dir /s
```
Console Window 4
```
D:\>dir /s
```
The output randomly pauses in the console windows for a short time and then continues to run.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	8/11/2006
Keywords:	kbtshoot kbprb KB923359 kbAudITPRO