No Memory.dmp File Created with RAM Above 1.7 GB

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

In systems where RAM exceeds 1.7 GB, Memory.dmp files are not generated even though a sufficient pagefile (RAM + 1 GB) is available on the boot drive.

Additionally, if larger Memory.dmp file images are produced (by applying hotfixes referenced below), several support utilities should be updated to read the larger Memory.dmp images. Without these updated files for dumpchk, dumpexam, i386kd (or alphakd, mip, ppc) and windbg the following error message is generated:

   Could not initialize crash dump file <path to dumpfile>.

CAUSE

Several causes were isolated related to mapping views of very large memory images.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the hotfix below, or wait for the next service pack.

This hotfix has been posted to the following Internet location:

   ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/NT40/
   hotfixes-postSP3/2gcrash

• Ntoskrnl.exe (or Ntkrnlmp.exe) and Savedump.exe are used to produce larger Memory.dmp files.
• Dumpchk.exe and Dumpexam.exe are used to verify the larger Memory.dmp files.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.