You may experience problems with the operating system on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems and has a Dual-Core Intel Itanium 2 Processor 9000 Series processor

This article describes the following about this hotfix release:

• The issues that are fixed by these hotfix packages
• The prerequisites for installing these hotfix packages
• Information about whether you must restart the computer after you install these hotfix packages
• Information about whether these hotfix packages are replaced by any other hotfix package
• Information about whether you must make any registry changes
• The files that are contained in these hotfix packages

Note The hotfix contains several packages for different components of Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems with Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Consider the following scenario. You have a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems or Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems with SP1. The computer has a Dual-Core Intel Itanium 2 Processor 9000 Series (formerly code-named "Montecito") processor or a later processor. In this scenario, your may experience problems with the operating system that may include the following:

• The system stops responding.
• A Stop error may occur.
• You experience random code execution.

Note Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems with SP1 is the required version of the operating system that Microsoft supports for Dual-Core Intel Itanium 2 Processor 9000 Series-based computers or computers that are based on later processors.

This problem occurs because a page fault interrupts a specific sequence of instructions that is related to speculation. One result is that the stack becomes corrupted. Many operating system files contain this specific sequence of instructions. This hotfix replaces those files.

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: 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.

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, submit a request to 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

The system must meet the following requirements to apply this hotfix:

• The computer must be running Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems with SP1.
• The computer must be based on a Dual-Core Intel Itanium 2 Processor 9000 Series processor or a later processor.

Note Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems with SP1 is the required version of the operating system that Microsoft supports for Dual-Core Intel Itanium 2 Processor 9000 Series-based computers or computers that are based on later processors.

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

Restart information

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Registry information

You do not have to change the registry.

Hotfix file information

This hotfix contains only those files that are required to correct the issues that this article lists. This hotfix may not contain of all the files that you must have to fully update a product to the latest build.

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 base and driver update package

Files that are updated in the %Windir%\System32 folderFiles that are updated in the %Windir%\SysWow64 folder

Network component update package

Files that are updated in the %Windir%\System32 folderFiles that are updated in the %Windir%\SysWow64 folder

Message queue update package

Files that are updated in the %Windir%\System32 folderFiles that are updated in the %Windir%\SysWow64 folder

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) update package

Files that are updated in the %Windir%\System32 folderFiles that are updated in the %Windir%\SysWow64 folder

Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) and index update package

Files that are updated in the %Windir%\System32 folderFiles that are updated in the %Windir%\SysWow64 folder

Setup program update package

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

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

For more information about Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site: .