A computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista receives various stop codes that cause the system to automatically restart after you enable the NetDMA feature on the new "Crystal Beach" (DMA) chip from Intel

Consider the following scenario:

• On a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2), you have the new direct memory access (DMA) chip from Intel. The code name of this DMA chip is "Crystal Beach."
• You enable the Network Direct Memory Access (NetDMA) feature on the new "Crystal Beach" (DMA) chip from Intel.

In this scenario, the computer may receive various stop codes and then restart automatically.

When the NetDMA 2.0 interface copies data greater than a page size (4 KB), the Ndis.sys driver builds an invalid NetDMA descriptor and then sends it to the DMA device. The DMA device uses this invalid NetDMA descriptor to access an incorrect memory address and then corrupts the memory. Therefore, the memory corruption causes the system to trigger various stop codes.

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, the computer must be running one of the following operating systems:

• Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Windows Server 2008 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 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.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2

To work around the issue, you can disable the "Jumbo Frames" feature or can restrict Ethernet frames to 4 KB by using the network adapter properties dialog box.

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:

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista

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

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

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

For more information about the NetDMA interface, visit the following Microsoft Web site: