Article ID: 967484 - Last Review: October 7, 2011 - Revision: 2.0

An SUA-based application becomes unresponsive, and the Psxss.exe process uses 100 percent of CPU time on a Windows Vista-based or a Windows Server 2008-based computer

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SYMPTOMS

You are running an application that is based on Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA) on a Windows Vista-based or a Windows Server 2008-based computer. However, the application becomes unresponsive. Additionally, Task Manager shows that the Psxss.exe process consumes 100 percent of CPU time. This problem typically occurs when you start or stop the application.
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CAUSE

This problem occurs because the structure of a process at the head of a process group is reused at the wrong time. This behavior causes an endless loop that the Psxss.exe process cannot exit.
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RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

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.

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 the problem described in this article. 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:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)
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 Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications installed on the computer.

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 Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information notes

  • The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table.
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    VersionProductMilestoneService branch
    6.0.6000.16xxxWindows VistaRTMGDR
    6.0.6000.20xxxWindows VistaRTMLDR
    6.0.6001.18xxxWindows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 SP1SP1GDR
    6.0.6001.22xxxWindows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 SP1SP1LDR
  • Service Pack 1 is integrated into Windows Server 2008. Therefore, RTM milestone files apply only to Windows Vista. RTM milestone files have a 6.0.0000.xxxxxx version number.
  • The .manifest files and the .mum files that are installed in each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista" section. These files and their associated .cat (security catalog) files are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The .cat files are signed with a Microsoft digital signature. The attributes of these security files are not listed.
For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista
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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Loginenv6.0.6001.2237314,84810-Feb-200905:32Not Applicable
Makedev6.0.6001.2237336,86410-Feb-200905:32Not Applicable
Posix.exe6.0.6001.2237380,89610-Feb- 200905:32x86
Posixsscom.dll6.0.6001.223735,63210-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdll.dll6.0.6001.22373314,88010-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6001.22373364,03210-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdrv.sys6.0.6001.223739,21610-Feb- 200902:58x86
Psxoffset6.0.6001.2237315,87210-Feb-200905:32Not Applicable
Psxrun.exe6.0.6001.2237340,96010-Feb- 200905:32x86
Psxss.exe6.0.6001.22373653,82410-Feb- 200905:32x86
Suacore-ppdlic.xrm-msNot Applicable2,99310-Feb-200905:02Not Applicable
Suares.dll6.0.6001.223732,04810-Feb- 200902:58x86
Baseu.dnlNot Applicable16613-Dec-200720:27Not Applicable
Baseu.prmNot Applicable1,15313-Dec-200720:27Not Applicable
Desktop.iniNot Applicable8125-Feb-200903:16Not Applicable
Disablesetuid.iniNot Applicable9213-Dec-200720:27Not Applicable
Download.urlNot Applicable7113-Dec-200720:27Not Applicable
Enablesetuid.iniNot Applicable9213-Dec-200720:27Not Applicable
Loginenv6.0.6000.2100715,87210-Feb-200901:56Not Applicable
Makedev6.0.6000.2100738,40010-Feb-200901:56Not Applicable
Posix.exe6.0.6000.2100776,28810-Feb- 200901:56x86
Posixsscom.dll6.0.6000.210075,63210-Feb- 200904:22x86
Psxdll.dll6.0.6000.21007294,40010-Feb- 200904:22x86
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6000.21007343,55210-Feb- 200904:22x86
Psxdrv.sys6.0.6000.210078,70410-Feb- 200901:56x86
Psxoffset6.0.6000.2100715,87210-Feb-200901:56Not Applicable
Psxrun.exe6.0.6000.2100740,96010-Feb- 200901:56x86
Psxss.exe6.0.6000.21007649,21610-Feb- 200901:57x86
Sua-ppdlic.xrm-msNot Applicable2,95210-Feb-200903:58Not Applicable
Suagc.exe6.0.6000.210077,68010-Feb- 200901:56x86
Suares.dll6.0.6000.210072,04810-Feb- 200900:18x86
Loginenv6.0.6001.2237314,84810-Feb-200905:32Not Applicable
Makedev6.0.6001.2237336,86410-Feb-200905:32Not Applicable
Posix.exe6.0.6001.2237380,89610-Feb- 200905:32x86
Posixsscom.dll6.0.6001.223735,63210-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdll.dll6.0.6001.22373314,88010-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6001.22373364,03210-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdrv.sys6.0.6001.223739,21610-Feb- 200902:58x86
Psxoffset6.0.6001.2237315,87210-Feb-200905:32Not Applicable
Psxrun.exe6.0.6001.2237340,96010-Feb- 200905:32x86
Psxss.exe6.0.6001.22373653,82410-Feb- 200905:32x86
Sua-ppdlic.xrm-msNot Applicable2,98110-Feb-200905:02Not Applicable
Suagc.exe6.0.6001.223737,68010-Feb- 200905:32x86
Suares.dll6.0.6001.223732,04810-Feb- 200902:58x86
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Loginenv6.0.6001.2237312,28810-Feb-200905:53Not Applicable
Makedev6.0.6001.2237341,98410-Feb-200905:53Not Applicable
Posix.exe6.0.6001.2237389,08810-Feb- 200905:53x64
Psxdll.dll6.0.6001.22373333,31210-Feb- 200905:55x64
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6001.22373382,46410-Feb- 200905:55x64
Psxdrv.sys6.0.6001.2237310,24010-Feb- 200903:31x64
Psxoffset6.0.6001.2237315,36010-Feb-200905:53Not Applicable
Psxrun.exe6.0.6001.2237344,54410-Feb- 200905:53x64
Psxss.exe6.0.6001.22373846,84810-Feb- 200905:53x64
Suacore-ppdlic.xrm-msNot Applicable2,99310-Feb-200905:25Not Applicable
Suares.dll6.0.6001.223732,04810-Feb- 200903:31x64
Loginenv6.0.6000.2100712,28810-Feb-200902:10Not Applicable
Makedev6.0.6000.2100741,98410-Feb-200902:10Not Applicable
Posix.exe6.0.6000.2100783,96810-Feb- 200902:11x64
Psxdll.dll6.0.6000.21007311,80810-Feb- 200904:32x64
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6000.21007360,44810-Feb- 200904:32x64
Psxdrv.sys6.0.6000.210079,72810-Feb- 200902:10x64
Psxoffset6.0.6000.2100715,36010-Feb-200902:10Not Applicable
Psxrun.exe6.0.6000.2100744,54410-Feb- 200902:11x64
Psxss.exe6.0.6000.21007838,65610-Feb- 200902:11x64
Sua-ppdlic.xrm-msNot Applicable2,95210-Feb-200904:10Not Applicable
Suagc.exe6.0.6000.210078,70410-Feb- 200902:11x64
Suares.dll6.0.6000.210072,04810-Feb- 200900:20x64
Loginenv6.0.6001.2237312,28810-Feb-200905:53Not Applicable
Makedev6.0.6001.2237341,98410-Feb-200905:53Not Applicable
Posix.exe6.0.6001.2237389,08810-Feb- 200905:53x64
Psxdll.dll6.0.6001.22373333,31210-Feb- 200905:55x64
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6001.22373382,46410-Feb- 200905:55x64
Psxdrv.sys6.0.6001.2237310,24010-Feb- 200903:31x64
Psxoffset6.0.6001.2237315,36010-Feb-200905:53Not Applicable
Psxrun.exe6.0.6001.2237344,54410-Feb- 200905:53x64
Psxss.exe6.0.6001.22373846,84810-Feb- 200905:53x64
Sua-ppdlic.xrm-msNot Applicable2,98110-Feb-200905:25Not Applicable
Suagc.exe6.0.6001.223738,70410-Feb- 200905:53x64
Suares.dll6.0.6001.223732,04810-Feb- 200903:31x64
Posixsscom.dll6.0.6001.223735,63210-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdll.dll6.0.6001.22373333,82410-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6001.22373382,97610-Feb- 200905:33x86
Posixsscom.dll6.0.6000.210075,63210-Feb- 200904:22x86
Psxdll.dll6.0.6000.21007312,32010-Feb- 200904:22x86
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6000.21007361,98410-Feb- 200904:22x86
Posixsscom.dll6.0.6001.223735,63210-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdll.dll6.0.6001.22373333,82410-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6001.22373382,97610-Feb- 200905:33x86
For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Desktop.iniNot Applicable8125-Feb-200903:28Not Applicable
Loginenv6.0.6001.2237325,60010- Feb-200904:37Not Applicable
Makedev6.0.6001.2237349,15210-Feb-200904:37Not Applicable
Posix.exe6.0.6001.22373180,73610-Feb-200904:37IA- 64
Psxdll.dll6.0.6001.22373735,74410-Feb-200904:38IA- 64
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6001.22373761,34410-Feb-200904:38IA- 64
Psxdrv.sys6.0.6001.2237320,48010-Feb-200902:11IA- 64
Psxoffset6.0.6001.2237334,81610-Feb-200904:37Not Applicable
Psxrun.exe6.0.6001.2237375,77610-Feb-200904:37IA- 64
Psxss.exe6.0.6001.223731,644,54410-Feb-200904:38IA-64
Sua-ppdlic.xrm- msNot Applicable2,98110-Feb-200904:08Not Applicable
Suagc.exe6.0.6001.2237316,38410-Feb-200904:38IA- 64
Suares.dll6.0.6001.223732,04810-Feb-200902:11IA- 64
Posixsscom.dll6.0.6001.223735,63210-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdll.dll6.0.6001.22373333,82410-Feb- 200905:33x86
Psxdllsvr.dll6.0.6001.22373382,97610-Feb- 200905:33x86
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STATUS

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

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
824684  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824684/LN/ ) Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates
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Additional file information for Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

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File namePackage_for_kb967484_client_0~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,396
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_client_1~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,367
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_client~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,712
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_sc_0~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,397
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_sc~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,423
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_server_0~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,396
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_server~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,431
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File nameX86_subsystem-for-unix-..d-applications-core_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22373_none_f49e6bd4b9bf892b.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size67,927
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)05:52
File nameX86_subsystem-for-unix-based-applications_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.21007_none_729293df0be089a3.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size72,820
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)04:34
File nameX86_subsystem-for-unix-based-applications_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22373_none_742949c70943458d.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size72,823
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)05:52

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

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File nameAmd64_subsystem-for-unix-..d-applications-core_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22373_none_50bd0758721cfa61.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size67,427
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)06:12
File nameAmd64_subsystem-for-unix-based-applications_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.21007_none_ceb12f62c43dfad9.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size73,999
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)04:44
File nameAmd64_subsystem-for-unix-based-applications_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22373_none_d047e54ac1a0b6c3.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size74,002
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)06:12
File namePackage_for_kb967484_client_0~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,404
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_client_1~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,375
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_client~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,722
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_sc_0~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,405
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_sc~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,431
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_server_0~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,404
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_server~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,439
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File nameWow64_subsystem-for-unix-..d-applications-core_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22373_none_5b11b1aaa67dbc5c.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size42,600
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)05:43
File nameWow64_subsystem-for-unix-based-applications_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.21007_none_d905d9b4f89ebcd4.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size42,078
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)04:30
File nameWow64_subsystem-for-unix-based-applications_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22373_none_da9c8f9cf60178be.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size42,081
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)05:45

Additional files for all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

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File nameIa64_subsystem-for-unix-based-applications_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22373_none_742aedbd09414e89.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size73,980
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)04:54
File namePackage_for_kb967484_server_0~31bf3856ad364e35~ia64~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,400
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File namePackage_for_kb967484_server~31bf3856ad364e35~ia64~~6.0.1.0.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,434
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)15:32
File nameWow64_subsystem-for-unix-based-applications_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6001.22373_none_da9c8f9cf60178be.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size42,081
Date (UTC)10-Feb-2009
Time (UTC)05:45
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APPLIES TO
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 1
  • Windows Server 2008 Standard
  • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
  • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter
  • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems
  • Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V
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Keywords: 
kbexpertiseinter kbautohotfix kbsurveynew kbbug kbfix kbqfe KB967484
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