Message after multiple unsuccessful calls to certain functions on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition: "Running out of physical memory"

On a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, the operating system may become unstable after applications or services perform multiple unsuccessful calls to the following functions:

• HalAllocateCommonBuffer
• MmAllocateContiguousMemory
• MmAllocateContiguousMemorySpecifyCache

If you check memory usage by using a live debugging program or a captured dump file, you may see the following message logged when this issue occurs:

When Memory Manager cannot locate any contiguous memory blocks, memory allocation operations fail. However, Memory Manager does not release the global index that keeps track of the number of memory allocation operations when these operations fail. Therefore, the "Resident available pages" number becomes very low after multiple unsuccessful memory allocation attempts.

Note In this scenario, Memory Manager does not indicate the actual volume of available memory.

Hotfix information for Windows Server 2003

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 Service Pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed.

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 2003 with Service Pack 1, x86 version

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x86 version

Windows Server 2003, x64 version

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x64 version

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, IA-64 version

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, IA-64 version

Hotfix information for Windows XP

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows XP Professional x64 Edition with SP1 or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition with SP2 installed.

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 XP Professional x64 Edition with SP1, x64 Edition

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition with SP2, x64 version

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