Windows NT Terminal and Telnet May Cause an Access Violation

• Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

After Telnet is started, if Terminal is closed before the TELNET> prompt is displayed, you may receive an access violation error message.

CAUSE

There is a timing window in the Telnet service that can cause the master thread to delete the client's critical section before the client thread terminates. This occurs if Terminal closes just before the master tries to write the TELNET> prompt. The master's write then fails, causing it to quit and delete the critical section. The client's read then fails, causing it to try to access the critical section during its termination processing. The client thread then access violates and the access violation error message is generated.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. This problem was corrected in the latest U.S. Service Pack for Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. For information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

   S E R V P A C K