A computer stops responding during startup after you install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

A Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer stops responding during startup after you install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1). You see a black screen when the system stops responding.

This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:

• One of the disks has a "00000000" signature.
• This disk is write-disabled or read-only.

When the Plug and Play manager tries to enumerate a disk, the Plug and Play manager puts an exclusive hold on the disk. In this case, when the Plug and Play manager tries to write a signature to the disk, the Plug and Play manager receives a STATUS_MEDIA_WRITE_PROTECTED error. This error causes the Plug and Play manager to add another work item. A loop occurs because the disk is not released.

Add a signature to the disk before you make the disk write-disabled or read-only. To do this, make the disk write-enabled before you start the system. For more information about disk features, contact the hardware vendor.

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

This problem was introduced in hotfix 886800. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: