Article ID: 830071 - Last Review: September 11, 2011 - Revision: 6.0

Some Windows Procedures Do Not Work If the Remote Procedure Call Service Is Disabled

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Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986/ ) Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry
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SYMPTOMS

When you restart your computer that runs Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, or Microsoft Windows XP, the following conditions may occur:
  • You cannot move icons on the desktop.
  • You cannot view event log entries.
  • You can open the Services Microsoft Management Console (MMC), but you cannot see any services listed.
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CAUSE

This problem may occur if you disable the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service. Many Windows operating system procedures depend on the RPC service.

Microsoft recommends that you do not disable the RPC service.
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RESOLUTION

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then click OK.
  2. Expand the following registry key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\RpcSs\
  3. Double-click Start, type 2 in the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, and then click OK.
  4. Close Registry Editor, and then restart your computer.
If your computer does not start correctly, you can use the Recovery Console to re-enable the RPC service. To use the Recovery Console, follow these steps:
  1. Start your computer to the Recovery Console.
  2. At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
    Enable RPCSS Service_Auto_Start
  3. At the Recovery Console command prompt, type EXIT, and then press ENTER.
  4. Restart your computer.
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MORE INFORMATION

The following services depend on the RPC service:
  • Background Intelligent Transfer Service
  • COM+ Event System
  • Distributed Link Tacking Client
  • Distributed Transaction Coordinator
  • Fax Service
  • Indexing Service
  • IPSec Policy Agent
  • Messenger
  • Network Connections
  • Print Spooler
  • Protected Storage
  • Removable Storage
  • Routing Information Protocol (RIP) Listener
  • Routing and Remote Access
  • Task Scheduler
  • Telephony
  • Telnet
  • Windows Installer
  • Windows Management Instrumentation
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REFERENCES

For additional information about how to use the Recovery Console in Windows XP, in Windows 2000, or in Windows Server 2003, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
307654  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654/ ) HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
326215  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326215/ ) HOW TO: Use the Recovery Console on a Windows Server 2003-Based Computer That Does Not Start
317252  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317252/ ) "Stop 0x0000001E" Error Message After You Install the Post-Windows NT Service Pack 6a Security Rollup Package
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
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Keywords: 
kbprb KB830071
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