Error message when you try to install a Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 agent: "The Agent could not contact the MOM Server"

When you try to install a Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 agent, you receive the following error message:

Typically, this issue occurs when the local security policy permissions on the MOM Management Server are configured incorrectly.

Important These steps may increase your security risk. These steps may also make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We recommend the process that this article describes to enable programs to operate as they are designed to, or to implement specific program capabilities. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this process in your particular environment. If you choose to implement this process, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system. We recommend that you use this process only if you really require this process.

To resolve this issue, make sure that the local security policy on the Management Server contains the correct permissions. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Log on to the Management Server by using an account that has administrative permissions.
2. Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
3. In the Group Policy Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in, expand Computer Configuration, expand Windows Settings, expand Security Settings, expand Local Policies, click Security Options, and then double-click Network Security: LAN Manager authentication level.
4. In the Network Security: LAN Manager authentication level dialog box, make sure that Send LM & NTLM Responses is selected, and then click OK.
5. Double-click Network Security: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users.
6. In the Network Security: Let Everyone permissions apply to anonymous users dialog box, make sure that Enabled is selected, and then click OK.
7. Double-click Network access: Restrict anonymous access to Named Pipes and Shares.
8. In the Network access: Restrict anonymous access to Named Pipes and Shares dialog box, make sure that Disabled is selected, and then click OK.