Symptoms
An invalid setting in the registry may be set in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\Licensing Core\PolicyAcOn subkey on your Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer that is configured as a terminal server using a Per User or Per Device licensing setting. This may unexpectedly change the terminal server licensing mode and cause the terminal server to obtain only temporary licenses.
Cause
This problem occurs when you use the Windows Components Wizard in Add/Remove Programs to add or to remove a Windows component.
The value of the PolicyAcOn registry entry changes from either 2 for Per Device mode or 4 for Per User mode to an invalid value of 0. Because of this invalid value, the terminal server is not aware of the type of licenses it should obtain. Therefore, the terminal server starts trying to obtain temporary, Per Device licenses. The terminal server configuration shows only Per Device as the licensing mode setting. Therefore, to determine whether the problem described here has occurred, examine the value of the PolicyAcOn registry entry.
Resolution
Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.
If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.
Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=supportNote The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.
Restart requirement
You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.
Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.
File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
Windows Server 2003, 32-bit Editions
Date Time Version Size File name
----------------------------------------------------
13-Jan-2004 18:17 5.2.3790.118 135,168 Tsoc.dll Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Editions
Date Time Version Size File name Platform
--------------------------------------------------------------
13-Jan-2004 18:15 5.2.3790.118 303,616 Tsoc.dll IA-64
Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows
After you apply the hotfix, you must reset the PolicyAcOn registry entry to the correct setting of either 4 (Per User) or 2 (Per Device) to configure the licensing mode.
NoteWhen you change the value in the registry as described in the following steps, you will not change the setting that is shown in the Terminal server configuration interface.
To reset the registry values, follow these steps:
-
Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
-
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\LicensingCore
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Right-click the PolicyAcOn registry entry, and then click Modify.
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In the Value data box, type 4, and then click OK.
Note A setting of 2 indicates a Per Device configuration. A setting of 4 indicates a Per User configuration. -
Quit Registry Editor.
Status
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
More Information
For additional information about terminal server licensing, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
294716 Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Terminal Server Licensing white paper is now available
For additional information about the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates
