Problems with Itanium-based Windows Server 2003 operating systems on a Dual-Core Intel Itanium 2 Processor 9000 Series processor based-computer

Consider the following scenario:

• You have a computer that is running one of the following Itanium-based Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating systems:
  • Original release version
  • Service Pack 1 version
  • Service Pack 2 version
• The computer uses the device drivers that are listed in this article.
• The computer has a Dual-Core Intel Itanium 2 Processor 9000 Series processor (This processor was formerly code-named "Montecito.") or a later processor in this series.

In this scenario, you may experience the following problems:

• The system stops responding.
• You receive Stop error messages.
• You experience random code execution.

Note Microsoft only supports Itanium-based Windows Server 2003 operating systems with SP1 for Dual-Core Intel Itanium 2 Processor 9000 Series-based computers or for computers that are based on later processors.

This problem occurs because of stack corruption. The stack corruption occurs because of a page fault when a device driver is running. The page fault interrupts a specific sequence of instructions that is contained in the device driver files.

To resolve this problem, install the latest device drivers for your hardware, and then restart the computer.

For information about your hardware manufacturer, visit the following Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

For video adapter drivers, you can use the default video driver from Microsoft instead of the older device driver that is included with the following Itanium-based Windows Server 2003 operating systems:

• Original release version
• Service Pack 1 version
• Service Pack 2 version

To use the default video driver, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type Devmgmt.msc, and then click OK.
2. Double-click Display adapters, right-click the graphics adapter, and then click Update Driver.
3. Click No, not this time, and then click Next.
4. Click Install from list or from a specific location (Advanced), click Don�t search. I will choose the driver to install, and then click Next.
5. In the Model list, click Standard VGA Graphics Adapter, and then click Next.
6. Click Finish.
7. Restart the computer.

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

The following tables list the device drivers that are included with the Itanium-based Windows Server 2003 operating systems that are mentioned in this article.

Windows Server 2003, original release version

Windows Server 2003, Service Pack 1

Windows Server 2003, Service Pack 2

Note You must restart the computer after you install or update these device driver files.

For more information about Itanium-based Windows Server 2003 operating systems, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web site: