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FIX: A crash dump file is not generated after a fatal system error occurs on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

Article ID: 898620 - View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

When a fatal system error occurs on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), a crash dump file is not generated as you expect. This symptom occurs when the following conditions are true:

There is already a Memory.dmp file on the same path that you have configured for the system crash dump file and for the page file.
The crash dump file is generated on a volume that is not the boot volume.
You have sufficient free space on the volume that you configured to generate crash dump files.
The Overwrite the existing dump file option is enabled.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs because the session manager incorrectly calculates the free disk space that is required on the target volume. Specifically, the session manager does not consider the disk space that is used for existing dump files when it calculates the total disk space that is required for crash dump files.

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RESOLUTION

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

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889100/ )

How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003

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:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

(http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

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

You must have Windows Server 2003 SP1 installed.

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 tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Itanium-based versions

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   29-Apr-2005  02:53  5.2.3790.2432     152,576  Smss.exe         IA-64
   29-Apr-2005  02:53  5.2.3790.2432      53,760  Wsmss.exe        x86

Windows Server 2003 with SP1, x86-based versions

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   29-Apr-2005  01:26  5.2.3790.2432      53,760  Smss.exe

Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   29-Apr-2005  02:53  5.2.3790.2432      75,264  Smss.exe         x64
   29-Apr-2005  02:53  5.2.3790.2432      53,760  Wsmss.exe        x86

Note Service Pack 1 is already included in Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition.

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

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