FIX: Access violations may occur after you enable a 64-bit version of SQL Server 2008 to use large code pages on Windows Server 2008

This article describes the following about this hotfix release:

• The issues that are fixed by the hotfix
• The prerequisites for applying the hotfix
• Whether you must restart the computer after you apply the hotfix
• Whether the hotfix is replaced by any other hotfix
• Whether you must make any registry changes
• The files that are contained in the hotfix

After you enable a 64-bit version of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 to use large code pages on Windows Server 2008, access violations may occur. Additionally, the SQL Server service may stop unexpectedly.

Note To enable SQL Server to use large code pages, set the Load image using large pages if possible GFlags setting for the sqlservr.exe process.

This problem occurs because of a race condition that occurs in Windows Server 2008.

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 information

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Registry information

You do not have to change the registry.

File information

This hotfix contains only those files that are required to correct the issues that this article lists. This hotfix may not contain all the files that you must have to fully update a product to the latest build.

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 2008, x64 version

Windows Server 2008, Itanium-based version

To work around this problem, configure SQL Server not to use large code pages. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the folder in which Debugging Tools for Windows is installed.
2. Start the GFlags utility.
3. In the Global Flags dialog box, click the Image File tab.
4. In the Image: (TAB to refresh) box, type sqlservr.exe, and then press the TAB key.
5. Click to clear the Load image using large pages if possible check box, and then click OK.

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

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

How to configure SQL Server 2008 to use large code pages in Windows Server 2008

1. Open the folder in which Debugging Tools for Windows is installed.
2. Start the GFlags utility.
3. In the Global Flags dialog box, click the Image File tab.
4. In the Image: (TAB to refresh) box, type sqlservr.exe, and then press the TAB key.
5. Click to select the Load image using large pages if possible check box, and then click OK.

For more information about how to obtain Debugging Tools for Windows, visit the following Microsoft Web site: