Symptoms
Assume that you have an application that uses the serial ports in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2. In this scenario, when the application calls the CloseHandle function on a serial port, the function does not return, and the application cannot be exited. To temporarily resolve this issue, you have to restart the computer.
Cause
This problem may occur because the Serial.sys file is stuck in an infinite loop after the CloseHandle function is called.
Resolution
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 website:http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=supportNote 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
You must have one of the following installed to apply this hotfix:
-
Windows 7 Service Pack 1
-
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
-
Windows Vista Service Pack 2
-
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
See Information about Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R for more information. See How to obtain the latest Windows Vista service pack for more information. See How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2008 for more information.
Restart information
You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.
Replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any previously released hotfix.
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 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notesImportant Windows 7 hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 R2 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, hotfixes on the Hotfix Request page are listed under both operating systems. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.
-
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.
Version
Product
Milestone
Service branch
6.1.7601.22xxx
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
SP1
LDR
-
The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2 and for Windows 7" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintain the state of the updated components. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.
For all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
File name |
File version |
File size |
Date |
Time |
Platform |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Serial.sys |
6.1.7601.22307 |
83,968 |
22-Apr-2013 |
03:10 |
x86 |
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2
File name |
File version |
File size |
Date |
Time |
Platform |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Serial.sys |
6.1.7601.22307 |
94,208 |
22-Apr-2013 |
03:44 |
x64 |
For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
File name |
File version |
File size |
Date |
Time |
Platform |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Serial.sys |
6.1.7601.22307 |
195,072 |
22-Apr-2013 |
03:16 |
IA-64 |
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information notesImportant Windows Vista hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only "Windows Vista" is listed on the Hotfix Request page. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows Vista" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.
-
The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table.
Version
Product
Milestone
Service branch
6.0.6002.23xxx
Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2
SP2
LDR
-
The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista" section. MUM files and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintain the state of the updated components. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.
For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008
File name |
File version |
File size |
Date |
Time |
Platform |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Serial.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
83,968 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:29 |
x86 |
Wacompen.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
20,608 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:30 |
Not Applicable |
Parport.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
79,360 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:29 |
x86 |
Parvdm.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
8,704 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:29 |
x86 |
Serenum.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
17,920 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:29 |
x86 |
Serial.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
83,968 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:29 |
x86 |
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008
File name |
File version |
File size |
Date |
Time |
Platform |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Serial.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
94,208 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:21 |
x64 |
Wacompen.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
26,624 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:22 |
x64 |
Parport.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
96,768 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:21 |
x64 |
Serenum.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
23,552 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:20 |
x64 |
Serial.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
94,208 |
23-Apr-2013 |
02:21 |
x64 |
For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008
File name |
File version |
File size |
Date |
Time |
Platform |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Serenum.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
52,736 |
23-Apr-2013 |
01:20 |
IA-64 |
Serial.sys |
6.0.6002.23100 |
195,072 |
23-Apr-2013 |
01:20 |
IA-64 |
Status
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
References
See Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates for more information.
Additional file information for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2
Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
File name |
X86_msports.inf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.22307_none_fb366bb82fb34f48.manifest |
File version |
Not Applicable |
File size |
3,506 |
Date (UTC) |
22-Apr-2013 |
Time (UTC) |
11:19 |
Platform |
Not Applicable |
Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2
File name |
Amd64_msports.inf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.22307_none_5755073be810c07e.manifest |
File version |
Not Applicable |
File size |
2,988 |
Date (UTC) |
22-Apr-2013 |
Time (UTC) |
11:22 |
Platform |
Not Applicable |
Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
File name |
Ia64_msports.inf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.22307_none_fb380fae2fb15844.manifest |
File version |
Not Applicable |
File size |
2,462 |
Date (UTC) |
22-Apr-2013 |
Time (UTC) |
11:16 |
Platform |
Not Applicable |
Additional file information for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008
Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008
File name |
X86_hiddigi.inf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.23100_none_97cc422e5c1ffc6b.manifest |
File version |
Not Applicable |
File size |
2,254 |
Date (UTC) |
23-Apr-2013 |
Time (UTC) |
09:01 |
Platform |
Not Applicable |
File name |
X86_msports.inf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.23100_none_fb07ae4ecea24a37.manifest |
File version |
Not Applicable |
File size |
3,410 |
Date (UTC) |
23-Apr-2013 |
Time (UTC) |
09:01 |
Platform |
Not Applicable |
Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008
File name |
Amd64_hiddigi.inf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.23100_none_f3eaddb2147d6da1.manifest |
File version |
Not Applicable |
File size |
2,256 |
Date (UTC) |
23-Apr-2013 |
Time (UTC) |
09:01 |
Platform |
Not Applicable |
File name |
Amd64_msports.inf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.23100_none_572649d286ffbb6d.manifest |
File version |
Not Applicable |
File size |
2,834 |
Date (UTC) |
23-Apr-2013 |
Time (UTC) |
09:01 |
Platform |
Not Applicable |
Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008
File name |
Ia64_msports.inf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.23100_none_fb095244cea05333.manifest |
File version |
Not Applicable |
File size |
2,253 |
Date (UTC) |
23-Apr-2013 |
Time (UTC) |
09:01 |
Platform |
Not Applicable |