Q163852: Invalid Operand with Locked CMPXCHG8B Instruction
Article: Q163852
Product(s): Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT Networking Issues
Version(s): WINDOWS:95; winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s): kbhw kbWinNT400sp4fix kbHardware
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001
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The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
- Microsoft Windows 95
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
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SYMPTOMS
========
When an Intel processor receives a specific invalid instruction, your computer
may stop responding (hang). Your computer must be turned off and restarted to
return to normal operation.
NOTE: Although there is no known operating system or application that issues such
an invalid instruction, you should be aware that a program can be written
maliciously to contain such an instruction. The operating system would not trap
this error, as it should, which results in the processor hang.
CAUSE
=====
This problem can occur due to an error in the following Intel processors:
- Pentium processor
- Pentium processor with MMX technology
- Pentium OverDrive processor
- Pentium OverDrive processors with MMX technology
NOTE: This problem cannot occur on the following Intel processors:
- Pentium Pro processor
- Pentium II processor
- i486 and earlier processors
This problem is known as "Invalid Operand with Locked CMPXCHG8B Instruction" and
is erratum 81 on the Pentium processor errata list. For more information, please
contact Intel or go to the following Intel web site:
http://support.intel.com/sites/support/
RESOLUTION
==========
Intel has identified a workaround to this problem that allows the operating
system to trap the invalid instruction and not pass it to the processor.
Microsoft has worked closely with Intel to provide the following hotfixes:
Windows NT 4.0
--------------
To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or
Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information,
please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack
For your convenience, the English version of this post-SP3 hotfix has been posted
to the following Internet location. However, Microsoft recommends that you
install Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 to correct this problem.
ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/NT40/hotfixes-postSP3/pent-fix/
Windows NT 3.51
---------------
To resolve this problem for Windows NT 3.51, obtain the following fix.
This fix should have the following time stamp:
11/24/97 12:42p 49,840 Hal.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 48,768 Hal486c.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 65,648 Halapic.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 46,704 Halast.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 81,056 Halcbus.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 79,200 Halcbusm.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 46,912 Halmca.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 67,696 Halmps.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 40,480 Haloli.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 53,744 Halsp.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 49,840 Halws3.dll
11/24/97 12:42p 41,072 Halwyse7.dll
11/21/97 01:35p 821,904 Ntkrnlmp.exe
11/21/97 01:34p 810,016 Ntoskrnl.exe
This hotfix has been posted to the following Internet location:
ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/NT351/hotfixes-postSP5/pent-fix/
Windows 95
----------
A fix for Windows 95 is not yet available.
STATUS
======
Windows NT 4.0
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Intel has confirmed this to be a problem in the Intel processors listed above.
This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows
NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.
Windows NT 3.51
---------------
Intel has confirmed this to be a problem in the Intel processors listed above. A
supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but has not been fully
regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this
specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem,
Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this
fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.
Windows 95
----------
Intel has confirmed this to be a problem in the Intel processors listed above.
Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.
Additional query words: 95 3.50 3.51 4.00 i386 malicious hangs freeze freezes erratum cmpxchg8b compare and exchange 8 bytes cold boot hard
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Keywords : kbhw kbWinNT400sp4fix kbHardware
Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search kbWin95search kbZNotKeyword3
Version : WINDOWS:95; winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0
Hardware : x86
Issue type : kbbug
Solution Type : kbfix
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