The system stops responding, and no dump file is generated when a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 receives a nonmaskable interrupt

Consider the following scenario:

• A computer is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008.
• An Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI)-compliant baseboard management controller (BMC) is installed on the computer.
• Under the following registry subkey, you set the NMICrashDump registry entry to 1:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl
• The system receives a nonmaskable interrupt (NMI) that is generated for the BMC watchdog timer (WDT).

In this scenario, you expect the system to automatically restart. Instead, the system stops responding. Additionally, the IPMI driver does not save the stop event records on the BMC, and no memory dump file is generated.

Note The NMICrashDump registry entry is an NMI switch that specifies whether the system performs standard software error-processing when a hardware error generates an NMI. When this registry entry is set to 1, the system should perform standard software error-processing. For example, the system might display a Stop error message in this situation.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2008 installed. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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 Vista with Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008, x86-based versions

Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008, x64-based versions

Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008, Itanium-based versions

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

The IPMI server management system is defined by Intel together with a consortium of promoters. This consortium also includes Dell, Hewlett-Packard (HP), and NEC. IPMI provides server monitoring and management features. For more information about IPMI, visit the following Intel Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: