How to disable the corrected machine check on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer (912310)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web 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

INTRODUCTION

In Microsoft Windows Server 2003, a periodic timer polls the system for corrected hardware error conditions. This process may interfere with the system firmware. This article describes how to disable the corrected machine check to work around this problem.

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.

By default, Windows Server 2003 runs a periodic timer. Every 60 seconds, the periodic timer polls the system for corrected hardware error conditions. However, when both the firmware and the operating system operate on the same corrected error information, the firmware and the operating system may conflict.

The corrected machine check process reports these error conditions. Sometimes, you may want to disable this process. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the following subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager

  3. If the EnableCMC registry value exists, go to step 4. If the EnableCMC registry value does not exist, follow these steps:
    1. Right-click Session Manager, click New, and then click DWORD Value.
    2. Type EnableCMC as the name of the new entry in the Name column.
  4. Double-click EnableCMC.
  5. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, type 0 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
  6. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:1/30/2006
Keywords:kbhowto kbinfo KB912310 kbAudDeveloper kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.