A computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 restarts automatically and generates a Stop error after you repeatedly plug and hot-unplug a USB device: "0x000000FE"

Consider the following scenario:

• A USB device is installed on a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008. The USB device works correctly.
• You plug and then hot-unplug (surprise remove) this USB device several times.

After you plug the USB device into the USB port in this scenario, the device does not appear in Device Manager. Additionally, the device does not work. If you try to shut down the computer on the Start menu, or if you make additional surprise removal attempts, the system generates the following Stop error message and then automatically restarts:Notes

• The four parameters in this error message vary, depending on the computer's configuration.
• Not all "Stop 0x000000FE" errors are caused by this problem.

This problem occurs because the USB hub driver (Usbhub.sys) does not correctly handle the surprise removal requests of USB devices.

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 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: 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 on a Windows Vista-based computer, you must have Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Vista SP2 installed.

No prerequisites are required for Windows Server 2008-based computers.

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 MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately . MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008

To work around this problem, use the Safely Remove Hardware feature in the notification area before you remove the USB device.

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