Corrected hardware errors are marked incorrectly as previous boot errors by the WHEA error processing code on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems

On a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems, hardware errors that have already been corrected are marked incorrectly with a "Previous Error" flag by the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA) error processing code. Therefore, some drivers from OEM partners do not correctly interpret these errors. Then, these drivers directly report this raw error data to customers.

The WHEA does not initialize the Flags field of an error packet before the packet is passed to the kernel. Therefore, corrected error records are flagged incorrectly as previous error records.

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.

Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the “Hotfix Request” page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

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 item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2008, Itanium-based versions

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

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