Error message: OLE DB provider SQLOLEDB was unable to begin a distributed transaction

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to use Microsoft SQL Server 2000 to start a distributed transaction between linked servers that are running Windows Server 2003, you may receive the following error message:

OLE DB provider SQLOLEDB was unable to begin a distributed transaction

The following message may appear on the OLE DB provider computer:

New transaction cannot enlist in the specified transaction coordinator.

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CAUSE

This behavior occurs if the Distributed Transaction Coordinator (DTS) service is disabled or if network DTC access is disabled. By default, network DTC access is disabled in Windows Server 2003.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, install network DTC access on both servers:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
Click Add or Remove Programs, and then click Add/Remove Windows Components.
In the Components box, click Application Server, and then click Details.
Click to select the Enable network DTC access check box, and then click OK.
Click Next, and then follow the instructions that appear on the screen to complete the installation process.
Stop and then restart the Distributed Transaction Coordinator service.
Stop and then restart any resource manager services that participates in the distributed transaction (such as Microsoft SQL Server or Microsoft Message Queue Server).