Computer Stops or Hangs Due to Large System Environment Variable Values

ID: Q223275

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4
Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4

SYMPTOMS

After adding an environment variable that contains a large number of bytes, the computer will not restart.

CAUSE

Certain process start up code for system processes (CSRSS, Autochk) were only allowing 512 bytes of space for system variables, which caused memory to be overwritten.

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

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.

MORE INFORMATION

The new files in this hotfix increase the number of bytes to 4,000. Users should keep the total system environment variable size to 4,000 characters. This size also included the variable name.

Additional query words: 4.00

Keywords : kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00
Version : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP4
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug