Memory Leak When Performance Counters Are Not Available

ID: Q234351

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5
Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition versions 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5

SYMPTOMS

When you use a program that attempts to gain access to a performance counter that has not been installed, your computer's performance may degrade or the computer may stop responding (hang) because of a memory leak. For example, if you use the Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 Healthmon tool on a computer that does not have the Microsoft Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) configured, the computer may hang and you may be required to restart your computer periodically.

This problem may also occur if a BMC Patrol agent is running on the computer in question.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because memory is not being deallocated correctly when an attempt is made to write data to the corresponding performance counter that is not available. It may be necessary for you to determine which performance counters your program is attempting to update to ensure their availability.

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

This hotfix has been posted to the following Internet location as Q234351i.exe (x86) and Q234351a.exe :

ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/NT40/hotfixes-postSP5/Perfctrs-fix/

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, install the SNMP service on your computer. To do this:

Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network.

On the Services tab, click Add, and then double-click SNMP Service.

When you are prompted, type the full path to the installation files folder (for example, D:\I386), click Continue, and then click Close.

Reinstall the latest Windows NT 4.0 service pack, and then restart the computer.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6.

MORE INFORMATION

If you are using the Healthmon tool and you have already installed Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 with the SMS hotfix, you may also experience this problem. For additional information about memory leaks and SNMP, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q196270 SNMP Agent Leaks Memory When Queried

Additional query words: 4.00 SMS healthmon

Keywords : kbinterop kbnetwork kbtool ntsp kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00 NT4SP6Fix
Version : winnt:4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug