Memory Leak in Windows 95 Kernel Using Windows Sockets (148336)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q148336

SYMPTOMS

When you run a program that uses Windows Sockets in Windows 95, a gradual increase in the memory used by the operating system may occur over time, especially if the program opens and closes a large number of sockets.

CAUSE

There is an error in the Windows 95 Kernel (Kernel32.dll) that prevents the proper freeing of certain small data structures associated with Windows Socket processes and allocated sockets. Over time, these small memory leaks can result in a significant loss of available memory.

Note that you can free the resources associated with a program by closing the program. If you quit and restart Windows 95, the memory is freed.

RESOLUTION

Microsoft has released an updated version of the Kernel32.dll file that corrects the problem described in this article. The updated file is: 
   KERNEL32.DLL version 4.00.951 (dated 2/2/96) and later
To install the updated Kernel, follow these steps:
  1. Download the Krnlupd.exe file to an empty folder.
  2. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, double-click the Krnlupd.exe file you downloaded in step 1.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download krnlupd.exe now

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows 95 (retail version) and Windows 95 OEM Service Release 1 (OSR1).

This problem was corrected in Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR2) and later versions (including Windows 98).

MORE INFORMATION

When you run the Krnlupd.exe file, the following file is installed: 
   File name      Folder           Size      Date       Version
   -------------------------------------------------------------
   Kernel32.dll   Windows\System   411,136   02/02/96   4.00.951
   Krnl32un.inf   Windows              533   07/25/97
If you wish to uninstall the updated Kernel32.dll file, use the right Mouse button to click the Krnl32un.inf file in the Windows folder, and then click Install from the menu that appears. This step replaces the updated Kernel32.dll with the version that was previously installed on your computer and removes Krnl32un.inf.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/22/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbdownload kbDiskMemory kbfile kbgraphxlinkcritical kbnetwork KB148336
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