PRB: 15-Sec Hang During Critical Error Handling on Pen System

• Microsoft Windows for Pen Computing, version 1.0

SYMPTOMS

When a critical error occurs on a system running Windows version 3.1, Windows enters message mode and displays the blue full-screen window that reports that an error has occurred. (This window is the window that appears when CTRL+ALT+DEL is pressed.) When running Windows for Pen Computing version 1.0 or 1.0a, the message window does not respond to keyboard input. The system appears to hang for 15 seconds and then returns to Windows.

CAUSE

Under Windows for Pen Computing, the pen driver installs a hook so that when the blue message window is displayed, the pen driver gets control. This gives the pen driver the ability to simulate a key stroke into the system thus preventing machines that don't have a keyboard from hanging when the critical error message window is displayed. Unfortunately, the pen driver's hook routine is intended only for machines that do not have a keyboard attached. If a keyboard is attached, all keystroke information is ignored for 15 seconds until the hook routine simulates the pressing of the ENTER key. Thus, the system appears to hang for 15 seconds.

STATUS

Microsoft is aware of this problem and is making every effort to inform the OEMs that are currently providing pen drivers about the problem.

MORE INFORMATION

For a detailed description of the virtual pen driver and the Key_Hook_Proc, see the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base titled "Understanding the Windows Virtual Pen Driver." This article describes one possible workaround that an OEM can use to work around this problem.

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Version : :1.0
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