You may receive a Stop error message on a Windows XP-based computer that has the ConnectMultiplePorts registry entry configured: "Stop 0x7E"

On a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer that has the ConnectMultiplePorts registry entry configured, you may receive a Stop error message that resembles the following: Note The parameter values may vary.

This problem may occur on a portable computer that is a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 client. Additionally, this SMS client uses the ConnectMultiplePorts registry entry. The kbstuff filter driver that is included with the SMS client tools is known to block extended function keys unless the ConnectMultiplePorts registry entry is enabled for the kbdclass driver. The ConnectMultiplePorts registry entry can be configured so that more than one device can be used in two different modes.

There are two methods to resolve this problem.

Method 1

Disable the ConnectMultiplePorts registry entry in the registry. For more information about how to configure the ConnectMultiplePorts registry entry in the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Method 2

Apply the hotfix that is mentioned in this Knowledge Base article.

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.

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

For more information about how hotfix packages are named, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: