Article ID: 2505694 - Last Review: February 16, 2011 - Revision: 1.0

Error message when you try to start a RemoteFX-enabled virtual machine: "Microsoft Synthetic 3D Display Controller : Failed to Power on with Error 'Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service'"

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to start a Microsoft RemoteFX-enabled virtual machine on a Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1)-based server that is running the Remote Desktop Virtualization Host role service, the virtual machine does not start. Additionally, you receive the following error message: 
Microsoft Synthetic 3D Display Controller : Failed to Power on with Error 'Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service'

This problem occurs when one of the following conditions is true:
  • There is no graphics processing unit (GPU) on the RemoteFX server.
  • The GPU driver has not been updated.
  • You are trying to start more virtual machines than your GPU can support.

Additionally, the following is logged in the Event Viewer:
Log Name: RemoteDesktopServices-RemoteFX-SessionManager-Admin
Source: Microsoft-Windows-RemoteDesktopServices-RemoteFX-SessionManager
Date: date time
Event ID: 3
Task Category: None
Level: Critical
Keywords:
User: SYSTEM
Computer: computer_name
Description:
The GPU or system resources are insufficient for this server to run as a RemoteFX host. Verify this server's hardware against the requirements. Status Code: 14.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, there must be at least one GPU on the RemoteFX server. The GPU driver must support DirectX 9.0c and DirectX 10.0. If more than one GPU is installed on the RemoteFX server, the GPUs must be identical. The GPU must have sufficient dedicated video memory separate from the system memory.

For more information about the hardware requirements for RemoteFX, visit the following Microsoft TechNet website:
Hardware Considerations for RemoteFX (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff817602(WS.10).aspx)

APPLIES TO
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
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