"Memory Could Not Be Read" Error Message While Doing File Operation (267858)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP6
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP6a
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a

This article was previously published under Q267858

SYMPTOMS

When you copy and paste a file, rename a file, click a command on the shortcut menu of a file, or perform any other file operation, you may receive the following error message:
Windows - Application Error The instruction at "0x00403759" referenced memory at "0x202c7971". The memory could not be read. Click on OK to terminate the program.

CAUSE

This problem is caused by a file extension that contains more than 260 characters to the right of the period. The buffer overfills and causes the error message to occur.

RESOLUTION

Windows 2000

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

260910 How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
   Date        Time    Version          Size       File name
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   06/21/2000  08:11p  5.0.3103.1000    2,336,016  Shell32.dll
				

Windows NT 4.0

To resolve this problem, obtain the Windows NT 4.0 Security Rollup Package. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

299444 Post-Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a Security Rollup Package (SRP)

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
   Date        Time    Version        Size       File name    Platform
   -------------------------------------------------------------------
   07/21/2000  09:02p  4.0.1381.7081  1,280,784  Shell32.dll  x86
   07/21/2000  09:00p  4.0.1381.7081  1,857,808  Shell32.dll  Alpha
				

Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

To resolve this problem, obtain the Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, Security Rollup Package (SRP). For additional information about the SRP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

317636 Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, Security Rollup Package

STATUS

Windows 2000

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Windows 2000. This problem was first corrected in Windows 2000 Service Pack 2.

Windows NT 4.0

Microsoft has confirmed that this problem may cause a degree of security vulnerability in Windows NT 4.0.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/26/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kberrmsg kbfix kbSecurity kbWin2000PreSP2Fix KB267858