Symptom
- Random instance of blue-screen-of-death (BSOD) even when server is idle
- Error shows CRITICAL_STRUCTURE_CORRUPTION, STOP: 0x00000109
Affected OS
- Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard Edition VM
This issue was resolved in ESXi 5.0 U3 or later but in case you have not upgraded, there is a KB from VMWare with details on how to implement a workaround.
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2060019
Just follow the instructions to solve the issue.
- Power down the virtual machine.
- Right-click the virtual machine and click Edit Settings.
- Click the Options tab.
- Select CPUID Mask under Advanced.
- Click Advanced.
- For Intel:
- Under the Register column, locate the edx register under Level 80000001.
- Paste this into the value field:
----:0---:----:----:----:----:----:----
For example, cpuid.80000001.edx = ----:0---:----:----:----:----:----:----
- For AMD:
- Select the AMD Override tab.
- Change cpuid.80000001.edx.amd = -----------H-------------------- to
cpuid.80000001.edx.amd = ----0---------------------------
- For Intel:
- Click OK.
- Click OK to close the virtual machine properties.
Visual guide on where to locate the setting.
Click on "advanced".
This is how it looks like before the change.
This is how it should look like after the change.
And also remember to set the guest operating system as Windows Server 2012 for stability. (Only available from ESXi 5.0 U1 onwards)
Save the changes and you are done!