Potential file corruption when using Windows Vista/Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008/Windows Server 2008 R2 with SMB2

October 20, 2011

This article has been updated to reflect Microsoft's release of the new KB2618096 hotfix for SMB2.

Microsoft has acknowledged that the Server Message Block version 2 (SMB2) protocol may cause stability problems with applications such as CaseWare® Working Papers that require real-time file information on files accessed over a network. Error messages in Working Papers such as ‘Error -310: Not a correct index file’ and ‘Inconsistent Database Indices Detected’ may be due to data corruption caused by SMB2.

• Windows 7
• Windows Vista
• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2008 R2

Different solutions are available from Microsoft depending on the version of Windows that you are running. One set of fixes should be applied to Windows Vista and Server 2008 while another set are applicable to Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2. The table at the end of this article specifies the fixes to apply for the version of Windows that you are running.

On all computers running Working Papers on Windows 7 or Server 2008 R2:

1. Install Microsoft KB2028965 SMB2 hotfix
   
   Microsoft has included the hotfix in their recent updates. Check the table below to determine if you need to install the hotfix. For instructions on installing, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2028965

   AND

2. Install Microsoft KB2618096 SMB2 hotfix
   
   Microsoft has provided a new hotfix for SMB2 issues. Check the table below to determine if you need to install the hotfix. For instructions on installing, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2618096

On all computers running Working Papers on Windows Vista or Server 2008:

The following 2 steps will eliminate the possibility of file corruption resulting from this issue.

1. Configure the following registry key
   
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters
   • Create a DWORD value named DirectoryCacheLifetime and give it a binary or hexidecimal value of 0.


For more information on configuring this registry key, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2461645

Note: The instructions in this article involve making changes to the Windows Registry. It is highly recommended that these changes be made by someone who is very comfortable using REGEDIT.

AND

2. Install Microsoft KB2028965 SMB2 hotfix
   
   Microsoft has included the hotfix in their recent updates. Check the table below to determine if you need to install the hotfix. For instructions on installing, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2028965

It is possible to automate both these steps. Contact your IT department if you need assistance.

If you require assistance implementing the recommendations above, please contact our support department at support@caseware.com.

Actions required by operating system

Operating Systems	Registry Keys	KB2028965 Hotfix	KB2618096 Hotfix
Windows 7	N/A	install	install
Windows 7 SP1	N/A	included	install
Windows Vista SP1	modify	install	N/A
Windows Vista SP2	modify	install	N/A
Windows Server 2008	modify	install	N/A
Windows Server 2008 SP2	modify	install	N/A
Windows Server 2008 R2	N/A	install	install
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1	N/A	included	install
Small Business Server 2008	modify	install	N/A
Small Business Server 2011	N/A	install	install
Small Business Server 2011 SP1	N/A	included	install

Note: The KB2618096 hotfix must be downloaded on the machine it is being installed on. This is due to the fact that Microsoft only presents applicable hotfixes based on the architecture that you are running (e.g. x86 vs x64). Alternatively, you can click the "Show hotfixes for all platforms and languages" link, and then download the appropriate hotfix.