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Q238173: Quorum Checkpoint File May Be Corrupted at Shutdown

Article: Q238173
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbWinNT4sp6fix
Last Modified: 06-AUG-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0, used with:
   - Microsoft Cluster Server 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you use Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS), the Cluster Server service may not
be restarted after a shutdown. Any of the following symptoms may occur:

- The cluster database file (located in the %SystemRoot%\Cluster folder) may
  become corrupted on both nodes (for example, the Clusdb file contains zero
  bytes on both nodes).

- The <quorum_device>:\Mscs\Chk<sequential_number>.tmp file may be
  inconsistent. If it is used by MSCS, it may result in Clusdb corruption.

- The <quorum_device>:\Mscs\Chk<sequential_number>.tmp file may be
  outdated, and a checkpoint file may not be written during the interval when
  the two nodes are up. If the computer's configuration is changed and a recent
  checkpoint file reflecting this change does not exist, the log files
  (<quorum_device>:\Mscs\quolog.log and
  <quorum_device>:\Mscs\Chk<sequential_number>.tmp) may contain
  inconsistent quorum resource information.

CAUSE
=====

When Cluster Server is shutting down, the Cluster Server service tries to create
a <quorum_device>:\Mscs\Chk<sequential_number>.tmp file on the
quorum disk. However, it does not check any error status for registry access
functions. If it cannot gain access to the registry, the Cluster Server service
creates a corrupted file.

RESOLUTION
==========

Windows NT Server or Workstation 4.0
------------------------------------

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


Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
----------------------------------------------

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT Server
4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following
article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack


STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT
Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition.

This problem was first corrected in Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 6 and
Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbWinNT4sp6fix 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbNTTermServSearch
Version           : winnt:4.0
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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