When you start Windows Server 2003 with the /PAE switch and you transfer data to or from a USB mass storage device, the computer stops responding or you receive a "STOP 0xE6" error message.

When you transfer data to or from a universal serial bus (USB) mass storage device on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer, you may experience any one of the following symptoms:

• Your computer stops responding (hangs).
• You receive a "STOP 0xE6" error message if the Windows Driver Verifier feature is turned on.
• You cannot start Windows Explorer, or you cannot open My Computer.

Note This behavior occurs only when you transfer more than 64 kilobytes (KB) of data.

This problem may occur if you start the computer by using the Physical Address Extension (/PAE) switch in the Boot.ini file.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003, 32-bit editions

Windows Server 2003, 64-bit editions

To work around this problem, delete the /PAE switch from the Boot.ini file. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Start Windows Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. Click the View tab, click Show hidden files and folders, click to clear the Hide protected operating system files check box, and then click OK. If you receive a warning dialog box, click Yes to continue.
4. In the root folder (for example, drive C), locate the Boot.ini file, and then delete its read-only attribute.
5. Open the Boot.ini file, and then delete the /PAE parameter from the ARC path, as shown in the following example for Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition:
   multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\%systemroot%="Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition" /PAE
6. On the File menu, click Save.
7. Restore the read-only attribute to the Boot.ini file.
8. Restart your computer.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: