Odd autologon problem

Six6siX · 11 Dec 2012 at 17:23

I have a Windows XP Pro client connected to a Server 2003 R2 domain and it uses a reg file stored locally to set autologon info [HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"AutoAdminLogon"="1"
"DefaultDomainName"="mydomain.net"
"DefaultUserName"="username"
"DefaultPassword"="password"
"ForceAutoLogon"="1"

Its designed so that when the computer boots and logs in, it sets the autologon credentials again so if the user logs out or the computer is rebooted, it automatically logs back into the same account.

The same autologon process works fine on numerous other machines.

In this case, despite the file being correct and the registry values being set (checked in regedit), it won't auto log back in after logging out. The Domain selection drop down list is always populated with the local machine name (but the actual domain is listed).

If you select the domain manually after the autologon fails and type in the correct password, it logs in successfully...

So it seems like its always trying to log into the local machine with the username/password combo for the domain account.

Any ideas?? Have I missed some obvious setting that prevents it picking up the domain name?

bledd · 12 Dec 2012 at 18:15

Try using the built in screen instead of reg file.

Start, run
Control userpasswords2

Raumarik · 12 Dec 2012 at 20:34

Absolutely sure you have the correct domain? perhaps even remove the domain parameter and put it into the username section instead as "domain\username" as that should force it.

Checks bledds suggestion out first, the screen there might be setup wrong or not setup at all. I'm not sure you should have to though if you use the regedit.

the only other thing I can think of is a local or domain startup script which is preventing auto-login from working, if it set to apply at the workstation stage it happens prior to the user logging in, even if it's set to auto-login from what I remember.

kirbz · 12 Dec 2012 at 21:09

How long is the computer name? I've had thus before but can't remember exactly the problem. I think it was too many characters in the pc name.

ecksmen · 12 Dec 2012 at 22:42

put the username in with the domain as upn

username@domain

or

domain\username

Six6siX · 14 Dec 2012 at 15:42

I added the user to the built in password/user management screen (not that I've had to do that before) but it made no difference.

Adding the domain in the format [email protected], did work though!

Interestingly, domain\username didnt seem to work.

Wondering why this is the case - I've user the format in above on countless other machines and it has worked every time - the domains and GPOs are identical on all setups too.

Thanks for the help guys, though I am a bit confused as to why this is the case suddenly!