KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q90341: WFWG Err Msg: Server VM Terminated Abnormally

Article: Q90341
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 3.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 13-OCT-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

You may receive the following error message while running MS-DOS-based
applications on a Windows for Workgroups server:

  The Server VM Terminated Abnormally

CAUSE
=====

This means that the server virtual device driver (VxD) did not terminate the
server virtual machine (VM). Instead, Windows terminated the server VM because
an illegal instruction was executed inside the server VM. This situation is
usually caused by real-mode components, such as network card drivers, real-mode
transports, or any other real-mode device drivers.

WORKAROUND
==========

The server is not operational until you restart Windows.

MORE INFORMATION
================

When you install a device driver or a terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) program
(such as a transport or net card driver) before starting Windows, the driver or
TSR becomes available to all VMs under 386 enhanced mode Windows. If the device
driver or TSR is active inside the server VM and attempts to use a piece of
memory that doesn't belong to it, it can start executing invalid instructions.

In such a situation, Windows terminates the server VM and issues the error above.
(This error would be a system integrity violation for any non-server VM.)


Additional query words: 3.10

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWFWSearch kbWFW310
Version           : WINDOWS:3.1

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.