The Global Logger trace log may grow and exhaust all the disk space on a Windows XP-based computer (909547)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

You enable the Global Logger trace session on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer to capture the activity of the Windows kernel, drivers, and other trace providers during the Windows startup process. However, the Global Logger trace log may grow and exhaust all the disk space on the computer.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because there is no option to limit the size of the Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) trace log. The program that enables global logging must programmatically stop the logging.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

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 tool in Control Panel.
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirementService branch
Ntkrnlmp.exe5.1.2600.17631,900,54419-Oct-200523:41x86SP1SP1QFE
Ntkrnlpa.exe5.1.2600.17631,955,84019-Oct-200523:41x86SP1SP1QFE
Ntkrpamp.exe5.1.2600.17631,928,70419-Oct-200523:41x86SP1SP1QFE
Ntoskrnl.exe5.1.2600.17632,040,83220-Oct-200500:14x86SP1SP1QFE
Ntkrnlmp.exe5.1.2600.27802,136,06420-Oct-200500:04x86SP2SP2QFE
Ntkrnlpa.exe5.1.2600.27802,057,34419-Oct-200511:05x86SP2SP2QFE
Ntkrpamp.exe5.1.2600.27802,015,23219-Oct-200523:35x86SP2SP2QFE
Ntoskrnl.exe5.1.2600.27802,180,09620-Oct-200500:06x86SP2SP2QFE

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

This hotfix includes an option to specify the maximum size of the trace log by setting a MaxFileSize registry value. If the program does not programmatically stop ETW tracing, the trace log grows to the size that is specified by the MaxFileSize registry value. When the size of the ETW trace log reaches the size that is specified by the MaxFileSize value, ETW tracing stops automatically. The MaxFileSize value is specified in megabytes (MB).

After you apply the hotfix, specify the maximum size of the trace log by setting a MaxFileSize registry value. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\WMI\GlobalLogger

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
  4. Type MaxFileSize, and then press ENTER.
  5. Double-click MaxFileSize, type the size of the trace log that you want in the Value data box, and then click OK.
  6. Quit Registry Editor.
For more information about how to log to the Global Logger session, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/DevTest_g/hh/DevTest_g/traceboot_8f532a14-1b0e-440d-a412-7dbeead60c09.xml.asp

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/26/2006
Keywords:kbQFE kbHotfixServer kbWinXPsp3fix kbWinXPpreSP3fix kbfix kbbug kbpubtypekc KB909547 kbAudITPRO
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