The tech world continues to watch as Microsoft prepares for the Windows 7 OS launch – scheduled for Oct. 22 – a critical error in the RTM build 7600.16385 may cause a delay in the operating system's launch.
The reported “showstopper” memory bug, if triggered, cripples the OS, causing the PC or notebook to crash.
Originally posted on TheHotFix forums, “The issue is related to the “chkdsk /r” command on a drive other than the system drive. For example if you have drive C: and drive D: with C: being Windows 7. If you open “cmd” and run “chkdsk /r D:” on “Stage 4” of chkdsk it will have a very critical memory leak and max out the system memory then BSOD due to lack of memory available,” the forum posting notes.
Specifically, the memory bug impacts non-patched 7600.16385 and Patched 7600.16399 RTM builds. It's possible the memory bug is chipset specific and could be found only on overclocked hardware.
I've spoken with several developers who haven't noticed the bug, but others have said it should have been fixed by Microsoft before OEMs began receiving 7600.16385. Microsoft has done such a solid job building up hype for its eventual Windows Vista successor, and a launch delay would obviously hurt the company.
OEMs are looking forward to selling Windows 7-powered PCs and notebooks – especially for back-to-school specials from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and others – and a delay may be catastrophic.
