FIX: An exception occurs in an application that uses the DirectDraw API when another application that uses the DirectDraw API stops unexpectedly on a Windows CE 5.0-based device

Consider the following scenario:

• Two applications that use the DirectDraw API are running on a Microsoft Windows CE 5.0-based device.
• One application creates and then releases a primary surface.
• The second application creates a palette object.
• Later, the second application exits unexpectedly.

In this scenario, an exception occurs when the first application calls the CreateSurface function. When the exception occurs, the user receives the following message:

When the second application exits, Windows CE releases the Ddhel.dll file. When Windows CE releases the file, the global reference count (gblrefcnt) value in the DD_Release error flag is decremented incorrectly because the first application still requires the Ddhel.dll file. Therefore, when the first application calls the CreateSurface function, and the gblrefcnt value is incorrect, the exception occurs.

Software update information

A supported software update is now available from Microsoft as Windows CE 5.0 Platform Builder Monthly Update (November 2006). You can confirm this by scrolling to the "File information" section of this article. The package file name contains the product version, date, Knowledge Base article number, and processor type. The package file name format is:For example: Wincepb50-060503-kb917590-armv4i.msi is the ARMV4i Windows CE 5.0 Platform Builder fix that is documented in KB article 917590 and that is contained in the May 2006 monthly update. To resolve this problem immediately, click the following article number for information about obtaining Windows CE Platform Builder and core operating system software updates:

Prerequisites

This software update is supported only if all previously issued software updates for this product have been installed.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this software update.

Hotfix replacement information

This software update does not replace any other software updates.

File information

The English version of this package has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The English version of this software update 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.

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

The DirectDraw API provides support for hardware-accelerated 2-D graphics in Windows CE 5.0. For more information about the DirectDraw API, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site: For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: