You cannot remove a persistent iSCSI target if Physical Address Extension (PAE) is enabled on a Windows Server 2003-based computer

Consider the following scenario:

• Physical Address Extension (PAE) is enabled on a Windows Server 2003-based computer.
• The computer has more than 4 gigabytes (GB) of physical memory.
• You use the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator item in Control Panel to connect to a persistent iSCSI target.

In this scenario, you cannot remove the persistent target.

Note This problem occurs only when certain iSCSI host bus adapters are used for the iSCSI connection.

This problem occurs because the Microsoft Storport driver incorrectly calculates an output buffer size.

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

To apply this hotfix, you must have the following prerequisites installed:

• Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) For more information about how to obtain the latest Windows Server 2003 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
  889100 How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003
• Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

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 item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x64-based versions

To work around this problem, disable PAE on the computer. To do this, remove the /PAE switch from the Boot.ini file. Then, restart the computer.

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

For more information about the /PAE switch, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: