KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q217171: FIX: /Zl Generates Invalid VXD Or Driver Image

Article: Q217171
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): winnt:6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbservicepack kbCompiler kbVC600 kbVS600sp2 kbVS600SP1 kbVS600sp3fix
Last Modified: 07-MAY-2001

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

- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, version 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, version 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition, version 6.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

A Virtual Device Driver (VxD) or driver built with Visual C++ fails to load or
run.

CAUSE
=====

The /ZI compiler option (debug info for Edit and Continue) uses the the compiler
option /GF (constant string pooling) which places strings in .rdata. It is the
presence of .rdata that causes the VxDs to fail. This option is turned on by
default when a project is ported from Visual C++ version 5.0 to version 6.0.

RESOLUTION
==========

Remove the /ZI compiler option or use /Zi instead.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the
beginning of this article.

This bug was corrected in Visual Studio 6.0 Service Pack 3. For more information
about Visual Studio service packs, please see the following articles in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q194022 INFO: Visual Studio 6.0 Service Packs, What, Where, Why

  Q194295 HOWTO: Tell That Visual Studio 6.0 Service Packs Are Installed

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

The Visual C++ 6.0 Service Pack 3 linker generates the following warnings:

  LNK4075: ignoring /EDITANDCONTINUE due to /VXD specification
  LNK4212: Section "section_name" has an unknown VxD section type; image may not
  load

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbservicepack kbCompiler kbVC600 kbVS600sp2 kbVS600SP1 kbVS600sp3fix 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVC600 kbVC32bitSearch
Version           : winnt:6.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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

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.