Q321209: PRB: Start Menu Hangs When You Install File-Monitoring Utilities

Article: Q321209
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0 SP6
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbIFS kbDSupport kbGrpDSNTDDK
Last Modified: 07-MAY-2002

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

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 SP6 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you install certain file-monitoring utilities, such as antivirus software,
on a Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 (SP6)-based computer, the Start menu may stop
responding (hang).

CAUSE
=====

The Start menu includes link files (.lnk) that act as shortcuts to programs.
Some file-scanning programs may try to set the Last Access Time (LAT) of those
.lnk files, which causes the Start menu to stop responding.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this issue, turn off .lnk file scanning in the program or utility in
question, if possible. Or, you can disable the LAT feature. If these workarounds
are not suitable, consider upgrading to a later version of Microsoft Windows
because this behavior is probably caused by a limitation in Windows NT 4.0.

STATUS
======

This is a known issue.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbIFS kbDSupport kbGrpDSNTDDK 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW400sp6
Version           : :4.0 SP6
Issue type        : kbprb

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

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.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.