Users cannot use a smart card to log on to a Terminal Services session on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008

Consider the following scenario:

• You configure a Windows Server 2008-based terminal server so that users can log on by using a smart card.
• Many users log on or log off the terminal server frequently.

In this scenario, users cannot log on with their smart cards and instead they are prompted for their usernames and passwords. If users do not provide these details, the Terminal Services session times out and disconnects.

When this problem occurs, the smart card logon option does not appear in the Terminal Services session. Users cannot log on by using their PINs, and they have to provide a username and password. The smart card logon option works again after they reconnect to the Terminal Services session one or more times.

Note This problem usually occurs when users are connecting through Terminal Services Gateway (TS Gateway).

This problem occurs because of a timing issue in the Rdpdr.sys driver. Terminal Services incorrectly reuses an in-memory object from an earlier session that has the same session ID.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is 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 the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if 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. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for computers that are running Windows Server 2008.

Restart requirement

You must restart the 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 item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2008 file information notes

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately .MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 RTM

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 RTM

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2

For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 RTM

For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2

To work around this problem, reconnect to the terminal server after several minutes.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For additional information, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008