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A heavily fragmented file in an NTFS volume may not grow beyond a certain size


View products that this article applies to.

Introduction

A heavily fragmented file in an NTFS file system volume may not grow beyond a certain size caused by an implementation limit in structures that are used to describe the allocations.

In this scenario, you may experience one of the following issues:
  • When you try to copy a file to a new location, you receive the following error message:
    In Windows Vista or in later versions of Windows
    The requested operation could not be completed due to a file system limitation
    In versions of Windows that are earlier than Windows Vista
    Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service

    Operating system error 33 (The process cannot access the file because another process has locked a portion of the file.)
  • When you try to write to a sparse file from the Application log, Microsoft SQL Server may log an event that resembles the following:
    In Windows Vista or in later versions of Windows
    Event Type: Information

    Event Source: MSSQLSERVER



    Description: ...
    665(The requested operation could not be completed due to a file system limitation.) to SQL Server during write at 0x000024c8190000, in filename...
    In versions of Windows that are earlier than Windows Vista
    Event Type: Information

    Event Source: MSSQLSERVER



    Description: ...
    1450(Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service.) to SQL Server during write at 0x000024c8190000, in file with handle 0000000000000FE8 ...

    Event Type: Error
    Event Source: MSSQLSERVER

    Description: ...
    Operating system error 33 (The process cannot access the file because another process has locked a portion of the file.)

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Resolution

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.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must be running one of the following operating systems:
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
  • Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
For more information about how to obtain a Windows Vista service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

935791 How to obtain the latest Windows Vista service pack

For more information about how to obtain a Windows Server 2008 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

968849 How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2008

For more information about how to obtain a Windows 7 or a Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

976932 Information about Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Registry information

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

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 (United States) version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information notes
Important Windows Vista hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only "Windows Vista" is listed on the Hotfix Request page. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows Vista" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.
  • The files that apply to a specific product, SR_Level (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table.
    VersionProductSR_LevelService branch
    6.0.600
    2.
    22xxx
    Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008SP2LDR
  • The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista" section. MUM files and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintain the state of the updated components. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.
For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Untfs.dll6.0.6002.22811324,09605-Mar-201216:17x86
Format.com6.0.6002.2281135,32805-Mar-201214:50Not Applicable
Ntfs.sys6.0.6002.228111,082,75205-Mar-201222:56x86
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Untfs.dll6.0.6002.22811372,73605-Mar-201217:30x64
Format.com6.0.6002.2281133,79205-Mar-201215:39Not Applicable
Ntfs.sys6.0.6002.228111,503,61605-Mar-201222:51x64
Untfs.dll6.0.6002.22811324,09605-Mar-201216:17x86
Format.com6.0.6002.2281135,32805-Mar-201214:50Not Applicable
For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Untfs.dll6.0.6002.22811950,78405-Mar-201215:59IA-64
Format.com6.0.6002.2281181,92005-Mar-201214:36Not Applicable
Ntfs.sys6.0.6002.228113,285,37605-Mar-201222:46IA-64
Untfs.dll6.0.6002.22811324,09605-Mar-201216:17x86
Format.com6.0.6002.2281135,32805-Mar-201214:50Not Applicable
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes
Important Windows 7 hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 R2 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, hotfixes on the Hotfix Request page are listed under both operating systems. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.
  • The files that apply to a specific product, SR_Level (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table.
    VersionProductSR_LevelService branch
    6.1.760
    0.
    21xxx
    Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2RTMLDR
    6.1.760
    1.
    21xxx
    Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2SP1LDR
  • The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2 and for Windows 7" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintain the state of the updated components. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.
For all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Untfs.dll6.1.7600.21162346,62403-Mar-201205:36x86
Untfs.dll6.1.7601.21935346,62403-Mar-201205:34x86
Format.com6.1.7600.2116235,84003-Mar-201203:23Not Applicable
Format.com6.1.7601.2193535,84003-Mar-201203:19Not Applicable
Ntfs.sys6.1.7600.211621,210,73603-Mar-201205:40x86
Ntfs.sys6.1.7601.219351,212,27203-Mar-201205:38x86
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Untfs.dll6.1.7600.21162404,48003-Mar-201206:48x64
Untfs.dll6.1.7601.21935404,48003-Mar-201206:29x64
Format.com6.1.7600.2116234,81603-Mar-201203:59Not Applicable
Format.com6.1.7601.2193534,81603-Mar-201203:38Not Applicable
Ntfs.sys6.1.7600.211621,683,82403-Mar-201222:13x64
Ntfs.sys6.1.7601.219351,690,48003-Mar-201222:06x64
Untfs.dll6.1.7600.21162346,62403-Mar-201205:36x86
Untfs.dll6.1.7601.21935346,62403-Mar-201205:34x86
Format.com6.1.7600.2116235,84003-Mar-201203:23Not Applicable
Format.com6.1.7601.2193535,84003-Mar-201203:19Not Applicable
For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Untfs.dll6.1.7600.211621,005,05603-Mar-201205:15IA-64
Untfs.dll6.1.7601.219351,006,08003-Mar-201205:27IA-64
Format.com6.1.7600.2116284,99203-Mar-201203:02Not Applicable
Format.com6.1.7601.2193584,99203-Mar-201203:03Not Applicable
Ntfs.sys6.1.7600.211623,555,18403-Mar-201205:20IA-64
Ntfs.sys6.1.7601.219353,559,28003-Mar-201205:28IA-64
Untfs.dll6.1.7600.21162346,62403-Mar-201205:36x86
Untfs.dll6.1.7601.21935346,62403-Mar-201205:34x86
Format.com6.1.7600.2116235,84003-Mar-201203:23Not Applicable
Format.com6.1.7601.2193535,84003-Mar-201203:19Not Applicable

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Status

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

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More Information

After applying this fix, you may need to format the volume with the large FRS, use the below command to format the volume.

Format <Drive:> /FS:NTFS /L
When a file is very fragmented, NTFS uses more space to save the description of the allocations that is associated with the fragments. The allocation information is stored in one or more file records. When the allocation information is stored in multiple file records, another structure, known as the ATTRIBUTE_LIST, stores information about those file records. The number of ATTRIBUTE_LIST_ENTRY structures that the file can have is limited.



We cannot give an exact file size limit for a compressed or a highly fragmented file. An estimate would depend on using certain average sizes to describe the structures. These, in turn, determine how many structures fit in other structures. If the level of fragmentation is high, the limit is reached earlier. When this limit is reached, you receive the following error message:

Windows Vista or later versions of Windows
STATUS_FILE_SYSTEM_LIMITATION The requested operation could not be completed due to a file system limitation
Versions of Windows that are earlier than Windows Vista
STATUS_INSUFFICIENT_RESOURCES insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service
Compressed files are more likely to reach the limit because of the way the files are stored on disk. Compressed files require more extents to describe their layout. Also, decompressing and compressing a file increases fragmentation significantly. The limit can be reached when write operations occur to an already compressed chunk location. The limit can also be reached by a sparse file. This size limit is usually between 40 gigabytes (GB) and 90 GB for a very fragmented file.

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Workaround

Workaround: For files that are not compressed or sparse, the problem can be lessened by running Disk Defragmenter or a third-party defragmentation tool for Windows such as Diskeeper defragmentation software. NOTE: Running Disk Defragmenter will not resolve this problem for compressed or sparse files.For more information about the Diskeeper program, visit the following Diskeeper Corporation Web site:

http://www.diskeeper.com/

To contact Diskeeper Corporation, use the following contact information:
Diskeeper Corporation 
7590 North Glenoaks Boulevard, 2nd Floor 
Burbank, California, 91504 
(818) 771-160

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More Information

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

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Additional file information

Additional file information for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_012a09da0a38389d.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size4,503
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)16:34
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_28ef34bfa044a095.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size3,801
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)16:33
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_a8d77bca3336a74f.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size16,841
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:02
PlatformNot Applicable
Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_5d48a55dc295a9d3.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size4,517
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)17:46
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_850dd04358a211cb.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size3,811
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)17:45
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_04f6174deb941885.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size17,104
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:02
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size32,635
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:02
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_012a09da0a38389d.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size4,503
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)16:34
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_28ef34bfa044a095.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size3,801
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)16:33
PlatformNot Applicable
Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_012badd00a364199.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size4,510
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)16:10
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_28f0d8b5a042a991.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size3,806
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)16:09
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_a8d91fc03334b04b.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size17,096
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:02
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size5,315
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:02
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_012a09da0a38389d.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size4,503
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)16:34
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6002.22811_none_28ef34bfa044a095.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size3,801
Date (UTC)05-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)16:33
PlatformNot Applicable

Additional file information for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size46,412
Date (UTC)04-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)15:32
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_ff362d3b6e50fe61.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,166
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:13
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_014024a76b5c2c64.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,166
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:12
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_26fb5821045d6659.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,116
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:17
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_29054f8d0168945c.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,116
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:10
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_a6e39f2b974f6d13.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,508
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:13
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_a8ed9697945a9b16.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,508
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:11
PlatformNot Applicable
Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_5b54c8bf26ae6f97.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,168
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:22
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_5d5ec02b23b99d9a.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,168
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:09
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_8319f3a4bcbad78f.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,118
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:20
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_8523eb10b9c60592.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,118
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:07
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_03023aaf4facde49.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,514
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:21
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_050c321b4cb80c4c.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,514
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)23:08
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size94,248
Date (UTC)04-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)15:32
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_ff362d3b6e50fe61.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,166
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:13
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_014024a76b5c2c64.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,166
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:12
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_26fb5821045d6659.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,116
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:17
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_29054f8d0168945c.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,116
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:10
PlatformNot Applicable
Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_ff37d1316e4f075d.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,167
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:57
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_0141c89d6b5a3560.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,167
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:51
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_26fcfc17045b6f55.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,117
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:56
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_2906f38301669d58.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,117
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:49
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_a6e54321974d760f.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,511
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:56
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-ntfs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_a8ef3a8d9458a412.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size14,511
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:50
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size11,160
Date (UTC)04-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)15:32
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_ff362d3b6e50fe61.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,166
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:13
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-f..mutilityntfslibrary_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_014024a76b5c2c64.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,166
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:12
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.21162_none_26fb5821045d6659.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,116
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:17
PlatformNot Applicable
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-format_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.21935_none_29054f8d0168945c.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size2,116
Date (UTC)03-Mar-2012
Time (UTC)06:10
PlatformNot Applicable

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Keywords: kb, kbsurveynew, kbqfe, kbfix, kbhotfixserver, kbexpertiseinter, kbautohotfix

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Article Info
Article ID : 967351
Revision : 1
Created on : 1/7/2017
Published on : 4/27/2012
Exists online : False
Views : 464