Microsoft Confirms Bug in Hyper-Threading for Windows XP SP1

Advertisement (Why?)

Warp2Search picked up on the fact Microsoft have issued a KB article describing a bug in Intel's Hyper-Threading technology for Windows XP SP1. According to the article, a program that uses large mapped file views to share information between two processes may experience a significant performance decrease. The performance degradation occurs in the UnmapViewOfFile function.

This problem occurs if you install Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) on an Intel Pentium 4 computer that has more than one logical processor.

Updated: The kernel files are supposed to be updated to version 5.1.2600.1202 once installed. For reasons unknown to Neowin currently, the files are updated to version 5.1.2600.1178. We're investigating this and we'll keep you updated.

Updated again: Microsoft have ammended the KB article and it now correctly reads the files should be updated to version 5.1.2600.1178.

The update isn't available generally over the internet, however you can phone Microsoft support or download it from the link we have provided below. Take care when installing this HotFix on your system.

Download: Download Q815227 Hyper-Threading Update

View: View Microsoft KB article

News source: Warp2Search.net

Please use caution when installing this update to your system

Clawing his way in

Using Wolverine's razor-sharp claws to hack and slash through enemies consumes much of the game play, but strategy and stealth are also required to infiltrate high-security locations.

The title is divided into six "acts," each of which includes three or four levels of game play. Visually, the game is played from a cinematic "over the shoulder" third-person perspective. Wolverine travels to different parts of the world to fight enemies, solve puzzles, and collect key power-ups and other items.

#1 TranceSphere on 16 Jun 2003 - 16:36

lol

#2 ZenmasteR on 16 Jun 2003 - 16:39

the files are older

1178 build from Feb

#3 leebobs on 16 Jun 2003 - 16:44

Yet another fix waiting for SP2.... Come on MS, work faster!!!

(2 replies) #4 xStainDx on 16 Jun 2003 - 16:46

I think this was packaged wrong from Microsoft. the file from the article stats 5.1.2600.1202. when extracting the contents you get 1178.

Calling MS....

#4.1 Jason on 16 Jun 2003 - 18:04

You will have to pay for the support if you call them over this patch.

#4.2 xStainDx on 17 Jun 2003 - 03:35

Nope, you don't. I got the file for free.

(3 replies) #5 MrWatchDawg on 16 Jun 2003 - 17:09

Yet another day almost gone by and another Microsoft Bug. Would be amazing a day that is bugless

#5.1 xStainDx on 16 Jun 2003 - 17:16

that would be only on weekends

#5.2 daveoc64 on 16 Jun 2003 - 17:58

The article says it is a bug with Intel's Pentium 4 not Windows.

#5.3 Martog on 16 Jun 2003 - 18:22

QUOTE

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

That came from the KB article...it seems like a problem with Windows, not the Intel P4. =P Besides, there isn't a fix for WinXP non-SP1 or Win2k3...

(1 reply) #6 djsaad1 on 16 Jun 2003 - 18:14

"This problem occurs if you install Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) on an Intel Pentium 4 computer that has more than one logical processor"

does this mean you have to have more then one processor or does hyperthreading act like it has more then one processor?

#6.1 l337hardware on 16 Jun 2003 - 18:22

hyperthreading creates a logical processor that enables multithreaded software applications to execute threads in parallel on a single multi-core processor instead of processing threads in a linear fashion.

in other words.. the problem occurs with use of the HT P4's and SP1 only

Last edited by 16781 on 16 Jun 2003 - 18:30

(2 replies) #7 wd40 on 16 Jun 2003 - 20:06

It has build 1178 in the MS KB article so it is 1178. Where did build 1202 come from?

#7.1 creamhackered on 16 Jun 2003 - 20:10

They just updated it, thanks to us

Last Reviewed: 6/16/2003

#7.2 xStainDx on 16 Jun 2003 - 20:16

Yeah neowin 0wns Microsoft.

(1 reply) #8 Unforgiven on 16 Jun 2003 - 20:39

LOL - I dunno why, but I read the last line of the news as "Please use condoms when installing this update to your system"

#8.1 leebobs on 16 Jun 2003 - 21:18

Sex is always on some peoples' mind...

#9 Quick Reply on 17 Jun 2003 - 01:01

why should we use caution when installing this update on our P4-HT XP-SP1 systems when the kbarticle has been fixed?

#10 Huezo on 17 Jun 2003 - 01:39

LOL! Intel... yet again...

#11 Huezo on 17 Jun 2003 - 01:41

Probably with SP2 there will be another issue: "System may catch on fire if HyperThreading is enabled when you try to click the Start button"

#12 Octol on 17 Jun 2003 - 02:22

Well, this one applies to me. I'm going to create a restore point and install the patch. If my computer implodes, I'll see you all later.

[Update]

Well, I'm still here. Too soon to tell if there is any real performance change one way or the other.

On reboot, my IntelliPoint software crashed (or so it said), but it didn't seem to have any effect on the mouse. I guess I wait and see if it does the same thing on the next reboot. Otherwise everything's hunky dory for the moment.

Last edited by 22045 on 17 Jun 2003 - 02:37

#13 naap51stang on 17 Jun 2003 - 04:06

If you buy, download or install BLEADING edge hardware/software......you will bleed (because you've hit your head on the table so much when something screws up)
I don't need the latest/greatest.....I wait 6 months, then get it.......HOPEFULLY, the "bugs" have mostly been dealt with by bug spray like RAID (the spray, not a hard drive array hahahahahha)

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Neowin.net