VBScript programs that include floating point calculations run slower after you install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

After you install Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript) programs that include floating point calculations run slower.

This issue occurs because Windows Server 2003 SP1 includes code that sets and clears floating point exception flags. This additional code adds more overhead to each floating point calculation in VBScript programs.

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:

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 Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed.

Note The fixes and features in Windows Server 2003 SP1 are included in x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003. You do not have to have Windows Server 2003 SP1 installed on these versions.

For more information about how to obtain Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Restart requirement

You do not have to 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.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 32-bit versions

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems

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.

This hotfix improves the performance of floating point calculations in VBScript programs in Windows Server 2003 SP1. However, performance will not be equal to that in the original release version of Windows Server 2003.

VBScript is not designed for high performance in complex mathematical computations. If the performance of floating point calculations is very important, use a more performance-oriented language, such as C, C#, or Jscript.

For more information about the terms that are used to describe software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Technical support for x64-based versions of Microsoft Windows

Your hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for x64-based versions of Windows. Your hardware manufacturer provides support because an x64-based version of Windows was included with your hardware. Your hardware manufacturer might have customized the installation of Windows with unique components. Unique components might include specific device drivers or might include optional settings to maximize the performance of the hardware. Microsoft will provide reasonable-effort assistance if you need technical help with your x64-based version of Windows. However, you might have to contact your manufacturer directly. Your manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that your manufacturer installed on the hardware.

For product information about Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For product information about x64-based versions of Microsoft Windows Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site: