BUG: Vsrvsvc.exe Causes Memory Exception on Systems Management Server Helper Servers

• Microsoft SQL Server, Enterprise Edition, version 6.5

SYMPTOMS

The virtual server service (Vsrvsvc.exe) will cause a memory exception error at c0000005 on SQL Server Enterprise Edition 6.5 Clustered Servers if they are configured as Systems Management Server helper servers. The error is normally generated during the Systems Management Server watchdog cycle (approximately every two hours). Because the SQL Server service depends on Vsrvsvc.exe, the cluster manager will shut down the SQL Server service. This will appear as "Shutdown by request" in the SQL Server error log. No errors related to this will be included in the SQL Server error log.

CAUSE

This error only occurs if the SQL Server has been clustered, because this is the only time the Vsrvsvc.exe is used.

The virtual server service, Vsrvsvc.exe, is used to communicate between the clustered virtual SQL Server and the host computer registry. This error will only occur if the SQL Server has been clustered, because this is the only time the Vsrvsvc.exe is used. In this case, the service is attempting to read dependent services for the Systems Management Server installation. As a Systems Management Server helper server, no dependent services are installed.

This error is caused during the release of an unallocated object when an undefined registry key is operated on (for example, SetValue/QueryValue and so on) through the virtual server service. This incorrect deallocation causes an access violation (AV) in Vsrvsvc.exe.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, remove the SQL Server from the list of the Systems Management Server helper servers in the Site Configuration Manager.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server Enterprise Edition version 6.5.

Additional query words: 6.5ee SMS EE errorlog

Keywords          : kbbug6.50 
Version           : WINNT:6.5
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbbug 

Last Reviewed: April 19, 1999