Sockets-based Child Processes Are Not Stopped

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

SYMPTOMS

Sockets-based child processes are not stopped and appear as "zombie processes."

CAUSE

There is a timing window where the TCP connection is not closed correctly on the Windows NT side and data that has not been acknowledged yet is discarded.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.

MORE INFORMATION

Zombie processes are child processes that are no longer running, but the kernel still needs to keep information about them. In this case, these processes are waiting for an event that never comes.

Keywords : NT4SP4Fix kbbug4.00 nt4sp5fix kbfix4.00.sp4
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug