Microsoft KB Archive/899416

= Error message that you receive on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 SP1: &quot;The event log file is corrupt&quot; =

Article ID: 899416

Article Last Modified on 10/16/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-Based Systems
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition

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SYMPTOMS
After you install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), you may receive the following error message when you try to open System log:

The event log file is corrupt.

Note You can still view the System log remotely from a Windows Server 2003 computer that is earlier than Windows Server 2003 SP1. If you clear the log and restart the computer, the log may become corrupted again in the future.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because certain network adapter drivers do not set the customer bit correctly. When network adapter drivers try to log their own events, corruption may occur in the System log.



Service pack information
To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

889100 How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003

Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only 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 Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer 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
There are no prerequisites.

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 item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 SP1, itanium-based versions


STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
This hotfix adds a validation code to the Eventlog.dll file. This code keeps the System log from becoming corrupted.



For information about how to set the customer bit, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa363651.aspx

For more information, 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

Keywords: kbfix kbqfe kbpubtypekc kbwinserv2003presp1fix kbhotfixserver KB899416

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