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Q221124: Slow File Saves Using Structured Storage Commits with Large Docs

Article: Q221124
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:4.0 SP4
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbWinNT400sp5fix
Last Modified: 20-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 SP4 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 SP4 
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SYMPTOMS
========

As the structured storage file increases in size, it takes more time to save
than expected.

From a developer's point of view, this is what would be occuring in his or her
code:

  

  Create root storage in  STGM_TRANSACTED mode.
  Create a single substorage on the root in STGM_DIRECT mode.

  Loop  for a lot of iterations, say 3000.
  Create a new stream.
  Write some data, 150 KB for instance, to stream.
  Commit root, say every 200 iterations, though loop.
  Release stream.
  Goto start of loop.

The commit on the root will become very slow as the file gets larger. After 2,800
150-KB streams have been written, the commit on the root for the last 200
streams takes about 16 minutes. During the commit operation, 100 percent of the
CPU is being consumed and no disk activity occurs. It is only just before the
commit returns that there will be large amounts of disk activity.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or
the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service
pack, please go to:

- http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ServicePacks/

-or-

- Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft
Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support
Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the
following address on the World Wide Web:

  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS


STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0. This problem was
first corrected in Windows NT version 4.0 Service Pack 5.

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

Two hardcoded values used for this function were increased:

  Define MaxPages 24 to 128
  Define MaxPagesScratch 3 to 16

Additional query words: 4.00

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbWinNT400sp5fix 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW400sp4 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400sp4 kbWinNTS400search
Version           : winnt:4.0 SP4
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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