Why can't I log onto my Windows 2000 PC?

I need help please! I have a win2k box here that I can't logon to locally with the password that I used to set up the machine ever since I connected it to our network. Every time I try I get an error message that says "The local policy of this system does not permit you to logon interactively". Is this some policy that is set up on our server, wich is a domain controller, or did I screw up the client machine when I set up Windows 2000? Any help or advice that you can give me I'd appreciate greatly.

Thanks

Edward Thomas

This question was answered on December 5, 2002. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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Being the computer has recently been set up, I would reinstall, but I'm not too clear if this is exactly your situation Take any steps necessary to protect your data, if there is any This may involve removing your hard drive, placing it as a second drive in another NTFS formatted PC, then culling all your files Don't boot from it until you figure out what the problem is

Assuming the machine was properly connected to the network, and at one time accessed the server, and can be accessed from another machine, you can log on with an administrative account on another computer, then edit your policies.

Once you clear this up, create a second administrative account as a "back door" into your PC Many people learn this the hard way Like me, for instance

Microsoft has an article on your problem in their knowledge base, numbered Q276590 A Google search ought to turn it up, as the URL is too long to print here.

Administrative accounts are wonderful things Few people seem to take advantage of the security and convenience features which are built into Windows 2000 I might recommend brushing up on their capabilities Reading both third party books for such purposes, accompanied by information provided by Microsoft seem to be what it takes for me to absorb such topics.

I have to wonder why your password no longer works Either someone, or something seems to have changed your policies Please be certain to scan both the local PC and the Server for viruses There are some nasty worms and trojans flying around On new installs, I rename the secedit.exe file It is a programmer's tool used to change system policies, rarely employed by end users Viruses look for, and use it In fact, viruses seem to be proliferating in record numbers If your current antivirus software gives an "all clear" try a different package Install ZoneAlarm, or another firewall package where applicable.

RG

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Posted by Robert of Mesa Community College on December 5, 2002

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