Cursor does not blink in programs when you connect to a Windows Server 2003-based computer by using a Terminal Services session (873418)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition

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:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

After you log on to a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer by using a Terminal Services session, the cursor does not blink in programs. For example, the cursor does not blink at the command prompt and in programs such as Notepad. You experience this symptom even after you configure the cursor blink rate in the Keyboard tool in Control Panel.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because cursor blinking is disabled in Terminal Services sessions in Windows Server 2003.

RESOLUTION

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.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may 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 immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must 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
   -------------------------------------------------------
   28-Sep-2004  21:41  5.2.3790.219  1,815,040  Win32k.sys
   28-Sep-2004  22:02  5.2.3790.219    292,352  Winsrv.dll
Windows Server 2003, 64-bit editions
   Date         Time   Version       Size       File name
   -------------------------------------------------------
   28-Sep-2004  20:10  5.2.3790.219  4,957,696  Win32k.sys
   28-Sep-2004  22:01  5.2.3790.219    765,952  Winsrv.dll

How to add the CursorBlinkEnable registry entry to enable cursor blinking

After you install the hotfix, you can enable cursor blinking. To do this, add the CursorBlinkEnable registry entry to the following registry sub-key, and then set the registry entry to 1:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server

To enable cursor blinking, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Locate, and then click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click String Value.
  4. Type CursorBlinkEnable, and then press ENTER.
  5. Right-click CursorBlinkEnable, and then click Modify.
  6. Type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
  7. 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 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


Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/1/2006
Keywords:kbQFE kbHotfixServer kbBug kbfix kbWinServ2003preSP1fix KB873418 kbAudITPRO