A computer that is running Windows Server 2008 SP2 or Windows Vista SP2 stops responding when an application uses the NTFS sparse files

Article ID: 974646 - View products that this article applies to.
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SYMPTOMS

When an application uses the NT file system (NTFS) sparse files on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2), the computer stops responding.

When this problem occurs, all I/O operations are blocked. Therefore, you must restart the computer.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs because of a timing issue that occurs in the Windows NT File System driver (Ntfs.sys). This issue causes a deadlock.
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RESOLUTION

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.

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

You must have Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed to apply this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

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 note
  • The files that apply to a specific product, SR_Level (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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    VersionProductSR_LevelService branch
    6.0.6000.16xxxWindows VistaRTMGDR
    6.0.6000.20xxxWindows VistaRTMLDR
    6.0.6001.18xxxWindows Vista and Windows Server 2008SP1GDR
    6.0.6001.22xxxWindows Vista and Windows Server 2008SP1LDR
    6.0.6002.18xxxWindows Vista and Windows Server 2008SP2GDR
    6.0.6002.22xxxWindows Vista and Windows Server 2008SP2LDR
  • Service Pack 1 is integrated into the original release of Windows Server 2008.
  • GDR service branches contain only fixes that are broadly released to address widespread, critical issues. LDR service branches contain hotfixes in addition to broadly released fixes.
  • 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 the x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2
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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ntfs.sys6.0.6002.222011,081,92817-Aug-200912:34x86
For the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2
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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ntfs.sys6.0.6002.222011,508,42417-Aug-200912:56x64
For the Itanium-based version of Windows Server 2008 SP2
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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ntfs.sys6.0.6002.222013,279,92817-Aug-200914:06IA-64
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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/ )
Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates
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Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 SP2 and for Windows Vista SP2

Additional files for the x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2

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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Package_for_kb974646_client_2~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,69318-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_client~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,43018-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_sc_1~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,68918-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_sc~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,42218-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_server_1~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,69318-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_server~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,43018-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
X86_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22201_none_a8e24052332e9c74.manifestNot applicable16,26517-Aug-200913:40Not applicable

Additional files for the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2

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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Amd64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22201_none_0500dbd5eb8c0daa.manifestNot applicable16,52517-Aug-200913:59Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_client_2~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,70518-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_client~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,43818-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_sc_1~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,70118-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_sc~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,43018-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_server_1~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,70518-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_server~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,43818-Aug-200905:24Not applicable

Additional files for the Itanium-based version of Windows Server 2008 SP2

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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ia64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22201_none_a8e3e448332ca570.manifestNot applicable16,51717-Aug-200914:52Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_sc_1~31bf3856ad364e35~ia64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,52918-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_sc~31bf3856ad364e35~ia64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,42618-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_server_1~31bf3856ad364e35~ia64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,53318-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
Package_for_kb974646_server~31bf3856ad364e35~ia64~~6.0.1.0.mumNot applicable1,43418-Aug-200905:24Not applicable
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Properties

Article ID: 974646 - Last Review: October 7, 2011 - Revision: 2.0
APPLIES TO
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 2, when used with:
    • Windows Vista Home Premium
    • Windows Vista Home Basic
    • Windows Vista Starter
    • Windows Vista Enterprise
    • Windows Vista Business
    • Windows Vista Ultimate
    • Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
    • Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2, when used with:
    • Windows Server 2008 Standard
    • Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V
    • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
    • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V
    • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter
    • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V
    • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems
    • Windows Web Server 2008
Keywords: 
kbfix kbbug kbautohotfix kbsurveynew kbqfe KB974646
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