KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q163196: New Windows NT PING.EXE Prevents Hanging Other TCP/IP Stacks

Article: Q163196
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetworkkbbuglist kbfixlist
Last Modified: 09-AUG-2001

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

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you use the Windows NT 4.0 version of the Ping utility (Ping.exe) to test
IP communication to a network resource, the networked computer or other device
may experience symptoms including one or more of the following:

- The system may hang.

- A Panic error may be displayed.

- Other errors may occur.

CAUSE
=====

Under some circumstances it is possible for the Windows NT Ping utility to send
an IP packet which is interpreted as an invalid IP datagram.

RESOLUTION
==========

Obtain the hotfix referenced below.

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

Computers running Windows NT, Windows 95, or Windows for Workgroups do not
experience these problems, but they may occur on other systems such as Unix
hosts, Macintosh computers, or network printers.


STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. This
problem was corrected in the latest Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 U.S. Service Pack.
For information on obtaining the service pack, query on the following word in
the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

  S E R V P A C K


For information on the updated version of Ping.exe for Windows 95, please see the
following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  ARTICLE-ID: Q162542
  TITLE : New Ping Tool Prevents Hanging Other TCP/IP Stacks


Additional query words: 95 prodnt crash ping of death

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork kbbuglist kbfixlist
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : winnt:4.0
Issue type        : kbbug

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

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.