Directory Services for NetWare (DSMN) Fails Intermittently with an Application Error in Swsvc.exe (0xc0000005 - AV)

ID: Q214460

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Directory Services for NetWare (DSMN) fails intermittently, generating the following Dr. Watson error:

The application swsvc.exe has generated an application error.

The following message is also written to the System Event Log:

Event ID: 4097: The application, exe\swsvc.dbg, generated an application error. The exception is c0000005 at address 77a056e1 (wcsicmp).

CAUSE

The DSMN service will fail periodically when attempting to rename an account (user, or local or a global group). For example, it fails when the pszOldAcctName is set to a null value and Windows NT attempts to dereference this Null pointer in the _wcsicmp() routine. There are several conditions in the SwpRenameAccount() routine where the pszOldAcctName string can be set to a Null value; however, Windows NT never tests this string before making a call to _wcsicmp() routine.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to:

http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ServicePacks/

Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

NOTE: If this product was already installed on your computer when you purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and you need this fix, please call the Pay Per Incident number listed on the above Web site. If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, a fee may be charged. This fee is refundable if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested. However, this fee is non-refundable if you request additional technical support, if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q154871 Determining If You Are Eligible for No-Charge Technical Support

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT version 4.0 Service Pack 5.

Additional query words: 4.00 swchglog.c

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