You receive occasional Stop errors after you install a driver that manages on-board flash memory on a Windows Vista-based computer

On a Windows Vista-based computer, you install a third-party driver that manages on-board flash memory for ReadyDrive. After you install this third-party driver, you occasionally receive a Stop error message that resembles the following:

This problem occurs because of an issue in the third-party flash memory driver. This problem only occurs when the system experiences a low-memory condition. The Ecache.sys driver that is included in Windows Vista uses large amounts of memory during startup to cache data. Otherwise, the data would be read directly from the hard disk drive. The cached data improves Windows Vista start times.

The version of Ecache.sys that is included in this hotfix uses memory less aggressively. After you install this hotfix, low-memory conditions are less likely to occur. Therefore, the problem that is described in the "Symptoms" section is also less likely to occur.

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Vista. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released 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, x86-based versions

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

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