Microsoft has informed of an issue impacting both Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (but not RTM) and Windows Server 2008 RTM/SP1 on machines with AMD SB700 Southbridge chipsets installed. According to the Redmond giant, both the latest versions of its Windows client and server operating systems may crash when placed into hibernation. The company informed that the problem has been identified in the integration of the two platforms with SB700 Southbridge chipsets. However, it appears that the issues are only occasional.

 

"When you put a Windows Vista-based computer or a Windows Server 2008-based computer into hibernation, the system may crash. Additionally, you may receive a Stop error message that resembles one of the following messages: STOP 0x000000A0 (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR (a0); STOP 0x0000007a (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR; and STOP 0x00000077 (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR," Microsoft informed.

 

The company does not have a resolve for the problem that can be served as an update to all Windows users. In addition, the issues are limited and not frequent enough in order to justify a resolve to be offered to all Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 operating systems. Microsoft however has a hotfix available, but users affected by this specific problem will have to contact the company directly in order to receive it. Customers who have not experienced any of the "symptoms" described above do not need to apply the hotfix.

 

Traditionally, fixes that do not generate updates and are limited to just hotfixes are included in the next service pack for the Windows client and server platforms. However, Microsoft informed that "this hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix."