Article ID: 942610
Article Last Modified on 11/15/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-Based Systems
SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario:
- You establish a terminal-server session to a Windows Server 2003-based computer.
- You use a high screen-resolution setting in the terminal-server session.
For example, you use the following command to establish the terminal-server session at a screen resolution of 3840 by 1024 pixels:
mstsc /v:<Server name> /w:3840 /h:1024
In this scenario, the terminal-server session unexpectedly displays only 8-bit color depth (256 colors).
This problem occurs if one of the following is installed on the Windows Server 2003-based computer:
- Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
- The hotfix that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
918679 You cannot connect to a Windows Server 2003-based terminal server when the screen resolution for the Remote Desktop Web Connection ActiveX control is higher than 1600 by 1200 pixels
CAUSE
After you install hotfix 918679 or Windows Server 2003 SP2, Terminal Services restricts the color depth of terminal-server sessions to 8-bits if the specified resolution is higher than 1600 by 1200 pixels.
RESOLUTION
After you apply the following hotfix, the color depth of a terminal-server session that has a high resolution can be up to 16-bits.
Note When this hotfix is applied, terminal-server sessions that have high resolutions and high color depths may exhaust resources on the terminal server. If you experience this problem, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and for information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now 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 Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.
To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
Note If additional issues occur or 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. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
Prerequisites
To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Server 2003 SP2 installed on the terminal server. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
889100 How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003
Restart requirement
You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.
Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.
Registry information
The hotfix automatically adds the following registry entry to the system:
Registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server
Registry entry: AllowHigherColorDepth
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1
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 item in Control Panel.
Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x86-based versions
| File name | File version | File size | Date | Time | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rdpwd.sys | 5.2.3790.4179 | 152,712 | 30-Oct-2007 | 17:57 | x86 |
Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, Itanium-based versions
| File name | File version | File size | Date | Time | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rdpwd.sys | 5.2.3790.4179 | 479,368 | 30-Oct-2007 | 15:51 | IA-64 |
Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x64-based versions
| File name | File version | File size | Date | Time | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rdpwd.sys | 5.2.3790.4179 | 231,048 | 30-Oct-2007 | 15:51 | x64 |
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about software update terminology, 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
Additional query words: display mstsc
Keywords: kbexpertiseinter kbwinserv2003postsp2fix kbbug kbfix kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbpubtypekc KB942610
