You receive a "Failed to connect to the database server" error message when you try to configure the Single Sign-On feature in SharePoint Portal Server 2003 (901203)

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

When you try to configure the Single Sign-On feature in Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003, you receive the following error message:

Failed to connect to the database server. Verify connectivity and rights for the configuration account and try again.

Note You receive this error message even after you verify that your configuration account information is correct.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if Microsoft Windows Installer version 3.0 or Microsoft Windows Installer version 3.1 is installed on the computer that is running SharePoint Portal Server 2003.

Note Windows Installer 3.0 is installed when you update to the latest version of Microsoft Windows Update. You are automatically prompted to install the latest version of Windows Update when you visit the Microsoft Windows Update Web site. Additionally, Windows Installer 3.1 is automatically installed when you install Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Windows Installer 3.0 and Windows Installer 3.1 incorrectly insert quotation marks (") around the value of the ImagePath registry entry in the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\ssosrv

RESOLUTION

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, remove the quotation marks from the value of the ImagePath registry entry:

Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\ssosrv
In the right pane, right-click ImagePath, and then click Modify.
Remove the quotation marks from the path that is displayed in the Value data box.

This path is similar to the following path, depending on your installation folder:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Microsoft Single Sign-on\SSOSRV.EXE
Quit Registry Editor.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about how to configure Single Sign-On in SharePoint Portal Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site: