DHCP Server Stops Leasing Addresses if a Sharing Violation Occurs

ID: Q216793

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

The DHCP service stops responding to client lease and renewal requests. The following errors are logged to the System and Application logs:

System Log

Event ID 1014
Source DHCP Server
Description : The JET Database returned the following Error : -510
Data : 02 fe ff ff

Event ID 1016
Source DHCP Server Description : The DHCP Server encountered the following error when backing up the user database :
Data : 2d 4e 00 00

Application Log

Event ID 30
Source JET
Description : Unable to create log. The drive may be read-only or out of disk space. Error - 1032

The error in the application log appears only once when the sharing violation occurs. The errors in the system log are repeated every time the DHCP service tries to backup it's database (default is every 15 minutes).

CAUSE

The DHCP service uses a JET database to store configuration and lease information. The service creates a backup copy of its database at a regular interval. Any program or service other than the DHCP service gaining access to the files in the DHCP directory may cause a sharing violation. As a result of the sharing violation, the DHCP service stops processing all client requests because it requires exclusive access to its database and log files.

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

WORKAROUND

The DHCP service should be the only process that gains access to the files in the DHCP directory. In addition to applying the update described in this article, the following procedural or configuration changes should be made.
If a backup of the Windows NT system files is required, the DHCP service should be stopped until the backup is complete. If the system is running a virus scanner, the directory containing the DHCP files should be omitted from those being scanned (%systemroot%\system32\dhcp).

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6.

Additional query words:

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