Q259167: Program Receives "File Is Corrupt or Unreadable" Error Message

Article: Q259167
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbWin2000PreSP1Fix kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix
Last Modified: 08-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

On a multiple-processor computer with two or more programs that access the same
files by using the CreateFile (or another) file function, one of the programs
may receive a STATUS_FILE_CORRUPT_ERROR response and generate an error message
similar to:

  FILE.TXT -- Corrupt File
  The file or directory \dir\temp is corrupt and unreadable, please run the
  Chkdsk utility.

However, when you run Chkdsk.exe, no file corruption is found.

CAUSE
=====

This behavior is caused by a timing issue in the NTFS file system when both
programs attempt to access the same file at the same time. This timing problem
causes a STATUS_FILE_CORRUPT_ERROR response to be returned erroneously to one of
the programs.

RESOLUTION
==========

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to
correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to
computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive
additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem,
Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows NT 4.0 service pack that
contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services
to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services
phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft
Web site:

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

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls
may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific
update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to
additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific
update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or
later:

  Date        Time    Size     File name  Platform
  ------------------------------------------------
  04/04/2000  01:02p  561,808  Ntfs.sys   Alpha
  04/04/2000  01:02p  368,464  Ntfs.sys   Intel



STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that
are listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words:

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Keywords          : kbWin2000PreSP1Fix kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : winnt:4.0
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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