The local Security Settings snap-in stops responding on your Windows Server 2003-based computer

When you try to use the local Security Settings Microsoft Management Console snap-in on your Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer, the snap-in may stop responding.

This problem may occur when you open Security Settings, and a connection-specific DNS suffix is appended to the flat name during a DNS query. The flat name is the name that identifies your domain. When you open Security Settings, a query that contains the flat name is sent to the Active Directory, and a DNS query starts. If a connection-specific DNS suffix is specified for your domain, the DNS suffix is appended to the flat name. This scenario may cause your computer to connect to a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server that is in another DNS zone, and that is not part of the Active Directory. The incorrect DNS query causes Security Settings to stop responding.

For example, the flat name of your domain may be My_Flat_Name, and the specified DNS suffix for your domain may be DNS_Suffix.com. A DNS query for My_Flat_Name.DNS_Suffix.com may occur instead of a DNS query for DNS_Suffix.com. If My_Flat_Name.DNS_Suffix.com exists in another DNS zone, your computer will connect to the LDAP server in that zone.

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

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must 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) 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 tool in Control Panel.

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

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: