You cannot install Microsoft Office Project Server 2003 on Microsoft Windows Server 2003

When you try to install Microsoft Office Project Server 2003 on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer, the installation may stop unexpectedly. When you check the verbose log, you see the following error message: For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

This problem may occur because the COM+ service that is included in Microsoft Windows does not start. If the COM+ service cannot communicate with the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) service in Microsoft Windows, an error occurs and the Project Server 2003 files that were previously installed are removed.

The following steps are a sequential overview of the steps that you must follow:

1. In the registry, under the MSDTC subkey, add the TurnOffRPCSecurity entry to the registry, and then set it to a value of 1.
2. Change the Log On account of the MSDTC service to the
   NT Authority\NetworkService account.
3. Remove the registry entry that you added to turn the remote procedure call (RPC) security back on, and then start installing Project Server 2003.

Note The TurnOffRPCSecurity entry is a feature in Windows Server 2003 that is designed to revert the MSDTC authentication security level for RPC calls to the authentication security level of Windows 2000 Server. This process lets the user configure the MSDTC service.

Step 1: Add the TurnOffRPCSecurity entry to the registry

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require that you 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 add the TurnOffRPCSecurity entry to the registry, do the following:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then press ENTER.
2. Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive, and then locate the
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSTDC subkey.
3. Right-click the MSMSDTC subkey, point to New, and then click DWORD value to create a new registry entry.
4. Type TurnOffRPCSecurity, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click TurnOffRPCSecurity, and then click Modify.
6. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
7. Quit Registry Editor.

Step 2: Change the Log On account of the MSDTC service

To change the Log On account of the MSDTC service, do the following:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Services.
2. In the Services list, right-click Distributed Transaction Coordinator, and then click Stop.
3. Right-click the MSDTC service, and then click Properties.
4. Click the Log On tab.
5. Under the Log on as section, click This Account.
6. In the account entry box, type NT Authority\NetworkService. Leave the Password blank.
7. Click OK.
8. Right-click the MSDTC service, and then click Start.
9. Quit the Services snap-in.

Step 3: Remove the registry entry that you added

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require that you 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 remove the registry entry that you added, do the following:

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive, and then locate the
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSTDC subkey.
3. In the right pane, right-click the TurnOffRPCSecurity entry, and then click Delete.
4. Click Yes in the Confirm dialog box.
5. Quit Registry Editor.
6. Install Project Server 2003.