A computer that is running Windows Server 2008 SP2 or Windows Vista SP2 stops responding when an application uses the NTFS sparse files

When an application uses the NT file system (NTFS) sparse files on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2), the computer stops responding.



When this problem occurs, all I/O operations are blocked. Therefore, you must restart the computer.

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:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

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

You must have Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed to apply this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this 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 Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information note

• The files that apply to a specific product, SR_Level (RTM,SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the fileversion numbers as shown in the following table.

  Version	Product	SR_Level	Service branch
  6.0.6000.16xxx	Windows Vista	RTM	GDR
  6.0.6000.20xxx	Windows Vista	RTM	LDR
  6.0.6001.18xxx	Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008	SP1	GDR
  6.0.6001.22xxx	Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008	SP1	LDR
  6.0.6002.18xxx	Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008	SP2	GDR
  6.0.6002.22xxx	Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008	SP2	LDR

• Service Pack 1 is integrated into the original release of Windows Server 2008.
• GDR service branches contain only fixes that are broadlyreleased to address widespread, critical issues. LDR service branches containhotfixes in addition to broadly released fixes.
• The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum)that are installed for each environment are listed separately. MUM and MANIFEST files, andthe associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining thestate of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes notlisted) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For the x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2

For the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 and of Windows Vista SP2

For the Itanium-based version of Windows Server 2008 SP2