DOCUMENT:Q170509 09-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Memory Leak in SERVICES.EXE Causes Performance Degradation PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:3.51,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbenv kbfile kbWinNT400sp4fix ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== Over time, the Windows NT system responsiveness appears sluggish, and clients may report a gradual decrease in system performance. By tracking the amount of Private Bytes for Services.exe, it can be observed that over time it increases without decreasing. This is viewable using Windows NT Performance Monitor by choosing the following counter to monitor: Object: Process Instance: SERVICES Counter: Private Bytes CAUSE ===== During client authentication on Windows NT servers (non-Domain Controllers), a lookup of the current Windows NT domain name is performed. A pointer to the Windows NT domain name is saved in a global location without freeing the previous Windows NT domain name that is already stored there. This memory leak problem can effect Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft SNA Server when running on a Windows NT server. Each time an Exchange or SNA Server client connects to the server over sockets, a small memory leak occurs on the server. This eventually causes performance degradation and requires a reboot to recover. RESOLUTION ========== To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4. Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information. Additional query words: prodnt 4.00 services.exe leaking working set prodsna xgen 469827604 0x1C010014 NCA_STATUS_SERVER_TOO_BUSY ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv kbfile kbWinNT400sp4fix Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch kbWinNTS351search Version : winnt:3.51,4.0 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= 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 2001.