Microsoft KB Archive/177245

= Multiprocessor computer may stop responding (hang) because of Tcpip.sys =

Article ID: 177245

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q177245



SYMPTOMS
A multiprocessor computer running Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0 may appear to stop responding (hang) when subjected to heavy TCP/IP stress. The system will continue to respond to PINGs, but higher level TCP/IP activity will be blocked. If other network protocols are installed, the system may continue to function normally except for activities that depend on TCP/IP.



CAUSE
For this problem to occur, a process must have an open handle to an address and an open handle to a connection and must try to close both simultaneously (as, for example, might happen at process termination). Under very specific and timing-dependent situations, Tcpip.sys can become deadlocked, blocking further work by the driver. When this happens, other parts of the system will typically continue running for a period of minutes or longer until higher level services that depend on Tcpip.sys also become blocked, waiting for the driver.



Service pack information
To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

152734 How to obtain the latest Windows NT 4.0 service pack

Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition


Service pack information
This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5.Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.

Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition.

Additional query words: multi-processor multi processor

Keywords: kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbbug kbfix kbnetwork KB177245

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