Drivers or hardware providers that use the Virtual Disk Service to manage hardware LUN IDs encounter exceptions after a disk is physically removed from a computer that is running Windows Server 2008

On a computer that is running Windows Server 2008, some drivers or hardware providers use the Virtual Disk Service (VDS) to manage hardware logical unit number (LUN) IDs. However, when a disk is physically removed from the computer, these drivers or hardware providers may encounter exceptions. Additional investigation indicates that an invalid hardware LUN ID is returned by the VDS. This behavior occurs if the corresponding hard disk has been removed.

This issue causes storage access exceptions. It also causes Hardware Compatibility Test (HCT) failures for some hardware providers.

This issue occurs because the VDS does not remove the hardware LUN ID as soon as the corresponding disk is removed.

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 the problem described in this article. 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.

Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the �Hotfix Request� page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, the computer must be running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

Registry information

To use this hotfix, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

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 2008 and Windows Vista file information note

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately . MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista, x86-based version

Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista, x64-based version

Windows Server 2008, Itanium-based version

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

If you check the VDS log file when this issue occurs, you find logged information that resembles the following: For more information about how to enable VDS logging, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008