You Receive an "Authentication Failure" Error Message When You Try to Activate a Computer That Runs Windows Server 2003 (831369)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) for Windows Server 2003

SYMPTOMS

When you try to activate a computer that runs Microsoft Windows Server 2003, the activation may not succeed and you may receive the following error message:

Authentication failure

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the Windows Rights Management (RMS) Activation service does not accept connections that use the Anonymous logon authentication method.

Microsoft Internet Explorer defines Anonymous logon as the default authentication method for the Local intranet Web content zone and for the Trusted sites Web content zone. As a result, you receive the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, modify the Logon security settings in Internet Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Start Internet Explorer.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  3. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab.
  4. Click the Local intranet icon to select the Web content zone.
  5. Under "Security level for this zone", click the Custom Level button. The Security Settings dialog box appears.
  6. Scroll down to the User Authentication heading. Under Logon, click to select the appropriate option:
    • Automatic logon with current username and password
      Your computer will connect to the Windows Rights Management Activation service by using the Internet.

      - or -
    • Automatic logon only in Intranet zone
      Your computer will connect to the Windows Rights Management Activation service by using the Activation Proxy service that is provided together with the RMS server that your organization uses.
  7. Click OK two times to close the Internet Options dialog box.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/3/2003
Keywords:kbTrusts kbService kbAuthentication kberrmsg kbprb KB831369 kbAudDeveloper
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.