DOCUMENT:Q242361 11-JUN-2002 [winnt] TITLE :RPC "Server is Unavailable" Message When Audit Log is Full PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbenv kberrmsg ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry SYMPTOMS ======== You may receive one of the following error messages: RPC Server Is Unavailable RPC Too Busy When this occurs, connectivity to the server stops. Rebooting the server clears the message and restores connectivity temporarily. CAUSE ===== This behavior can occur if you have run the C2 Configuration Manager utility from the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit. The C2 Configuration Manager utility makes changes to the server that disable network functionality if an auditable event cannot be logged. The C2 Configuration Manager utility makes two changes to the server that stop networking functionality if auditable events cannot be logged. The first change is the addition of the following registry key: Key: \CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa Value: CrashOnAuditFail Type: REG_DWORD Data Value: 1 This key prevents auditable activities when the Security log becomes full. The second change is the setting for the log files in Event Viewer. The Log File Wrapping setting is changed to Do Not Overwrite Events (Clear Log Manually). With these two settings in place, the server shuts down all auditable processes (causing Remote Procedure Call, or RPC, to stop working) when the Security event log becomes full. RESOLUTION ========== Use either of the following methods to work around this problem: Method 1: Remove the CrashOnAuditFail Value ------------------------------------------- WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to 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. Use Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) to delete the CrashOnAuditFail value from the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\ After you make this change, quit Registry Editor and restart the computer to cause the change to take effect. Method 2: Change the Event Log Settings --------------------------------------- 1. Start Event Viewer. 2. On the Log menu, click Log Settings. 3. In the Settings dialog box, you can either increase the size of the Security log, or change the Log File Wrapping setting to "Overwrite events as needed". MORE INFORMATION ================ For additional information about the CrashOnAuditFail value, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q140058 How to Prevent Auditable Activities When Security Log Is Full Q178208 CrashOnAuditFail with Logon/Logoff Auditing Causes Blue Screen Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg Component : RPC Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400sp5 kbWinNTS400sp4 kbWinNTS400sp3 kbWinNTS400sp2 kbWinNTS400sp1 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.