A computer that is running Windows Server 2003 stops responding after you press CTRL+ALT+DEL while the screen saver is running

You have a computer that is running Windows Server 2003. If you press CTRL+ALT+DEL while the screen saver is running, the computer stops responding. To shut down the computer, you must press the power button.

This issue occurs because an event is sent to the screen saver and to the winlogon service when CTRL+ALT+DEL are pressed. Therefore, the screen saver and the winlogon service try concurrently to shut down the screen saver.

However, the threads that are trying to shut down the screensaver do not synchronize correctly. Therefore, the winlogon service waits in deadlock for the screen saver. Therefore, the computer stops responding.

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, your computer must be running Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released 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.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 SP2 and of Windows XP SP2

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods:

Method one

Stop the screen saver by pressing keys other than CTRL+ALT+DEL.

Method two

Stop the screen saver by using a mouse.

Method three

Disable the screen saver.

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

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: