Consider the following scenario:

• You have a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista.
• You have a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express device that supports hot plugging.
  
  Note With Windows Server 2008 and with Windows Vista, you can add a device to a computer while the computer is running, and the operating system automatically recognizes the change. This is known as hot plugging.
• You connect the PCI Express device to the computer.

In this scenario, when you use the Safely Remove Hardware option to remove the PCI Express device, you receive the following Stop error message:Additionally, the computer may restart unexpectedly.

This problem occurs because the Pci.sys driver does not wait sufficient time after the secondary bus reset (SBR). However, according to the PCI Express specifications, the Pci.sys driver should wait sufficient time after the SBR.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. 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.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.
Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the “Hotfix Request” page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, your computer must be running one of the following operating systems:

• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)
• Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

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 item in Control Panel.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista SP1 and of Windows Server 2008

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista SP2 and of Windows Server 2008 SP2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista SP1 and of Windows Server 2008

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista SP2 and of Windows Server 2008 SP2

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2

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