Open Software Solutions

When you try to install Windows Server 2008 on a computer that uses the Intel Xeon processor, the installation fails. This problem occurs if you have enabled the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA) feature on the computer.

When this problem occurs, you receive the following stop error:

This issue affects the following Intel platforms:

• Bensley
• FoxCove

This problem occurs because the ERRDEV.SYS driver, a part of the WHEA feature, does not notify Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) that the driver is unloading. Therefore, this problem occurs when the APCI tries to access the unloaded driver.

A hotfix is available to resolve this problem. You have to install this hotfix before you enable the WHEA feature in BIOS.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problemP1 that P2 described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problemP1 described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a Hotfix download available section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Note The Hotfix download available form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista Service Pack 1 installed on the computer.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

Registry information

To use this hotfix, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information note

The .manifest files and the .mum files that are installed in each environment are listed separately in the Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and for Windows Vista section. These files and their associated .cat (security catalog) files are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The .cat files are signed with a Microsoft digital signature. The attributes of these security files are not listed.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

To work around this issue, disable the WHEA feature in BIOS before you install Windows Server 2008.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the Applies to section.

For more information about the Bensley platform, visit the following Intel Web site:

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 and of Windows Vista

Additional files for all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.