You may receive a stack overflow error message if you try to open multiple modal dialog boxes in Internet Explorer 6 or in the Mshta.exe HTML program

If you try to open multiple modal dialog boxes in either of the following programs, you may receive a stack overflow error message:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer
• The Mshta.exe HTML program

This problem may occur if the number of modal dialog boxes exceeds the amount of memory (the stack file) that is permitted for modal dialog boxes.

This problem may occur more frequently in Mshta.exe because the stack file in Mshta.exe is smaller than the stack file in Internet Explorer 6.

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 do not have to restart the 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 file attributes) 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.

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

Modal dialog boxes are message boxes that must be closed before you can continue working in the program where the modal dialog box appears. Frequently, a modal dialog box displays an error message or an alert.

Note The hotfix that is provided in the "Resolution" section increases the size of the stack file in the Mshta.exe program. However, the hotfix does not increase the size of the stack file in Internet Explorer 6. This problem may continue to occur after you apply this hotfix, but the hotfix reduces the frequency of this problem.

For more information about the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: