how do I delay a user logon

[imported_JFG]

I need to find a way to delay a user logon on a 2k3 server. I have autologon set and the account is trying to logon before the computer account is established. Is there a good way to delay the autologon. I have already enabled the system\logon policy to wait for the network & startup, but that didn't help. I'd say 2 out of every 3 times I reboot, the account attempts to autologon and I get the error:

The system cannot log you on now because the domain "DOMAIN NAME" is not available.


Any ideas,

Thanks

 

[nweaver]

why would you autologin a server? That's bad practice, and even if it's a test server, set up good admin habits, like lock on screensaver, no autologin, locked down permissions, etc.

 

[imported_JFG]

Trust me, I know, it's not my call. We tried for months to come up with a solution to prevent this.

Basically there are 5 servers that have models running on them & these models were written in such a way that the account has to be logged in to produce the output needed. Actually only one of these machines technically need to be up, but apparently they are so business critical that we need all 5 up and running at all times with this special account logged on. Our research dept proved the million$ that could be lost if even one model doesn't run properly.

 

[TGS]

Ahhh, or they could pay a smart programmer a couple thousand to get around this stovepiped program.

Better ways to solve the problem: make the program as a service, with a network authentication based userid. Use a local UID. Write a script to autologin periodically, with a check on the process to see if it is already running.

 

[mikecel79]

Why don't you determine why the secure channel to your DC isn't established by the time the login prompt comes up? That is the root of your problem. Are you sure DNS is setup correctly?

Another option is to configure cached logins. This would allow you to autologin with the domain not being available.

 

[imported_JFG]

DNS is set up correct. Cached logons would cause a problem w/ logon script and other necessary functions. We've been trying to determine the root of the problem for weeks with no luck. The connection is on GB Ethernet

 

[mikecel79]

If you've been trying to figure this out for weeks why don't you just call Microsoft PSS? I mean if there's a chance that millions of dollars could be lost if one model doesn't run then a $299 call to Microsoft PSS would be worth it. They would work with you until the problem is fixed.

 

[imported_JFG]

Called them and they have been no help so far. They want me to open a ticket with Dell. I've talked to Dell and their diagnostics show no hardware problems. These are actually Dell blades that are replacing the old servers & were waiting to resolve this issue before they go in to production.

 

[TGS]

Honestly there is no way to make the app run as a service?

Talking with Dell is pointless, they will go through hardware diagnostics and you are having a software problem.
If MS is giving you the run around you need to get your ticket bumped up another tier.

 

[stash]

It may be a hardware issue. There have been many issues in the past with certain GigE adapters not initializing in a timely way and causing these sorts of problems. I thought all the issues had been worked out with drivers updates by now, but who knows.

 

[TGS]

I know you can set the initialization timeout for storage HBAs, I really didn't think you would have issues starting up a GigE card.

If I'm understanding the problem, a network UID needs to log into a machine for the expressed purpose of running a model (simulation?). Or is the job broken up into pieces and handed off to the (5) machines from a master machine.

 

[NogginBoink]

Are you SURE you have diagnosed the problem correctly? What are the symptoms? What's the system event log say?

 

[dawks]

This probably isnt it, but just a suggestion..

Is the server's IP statically assigned or does it get it via DHCP?

My 10k Raptor boots Windows XP SP2 and starts programs on my desktop faster then it can get an IP from my ISP's DHCP server. Hence I get 3-4 programs yelling at me that they cannot connect to the internet.. Configuring a static IP fixed that issue.

Server 2003 with SP1 is pretty fast...

 

[imported_JFG]

Found the most likely culprit and solution. We had to run a utility from Dell on these blades because the serial number was not showing up in the BIOS or the KVM management browser. When we moved the hard drive to a new server auto logon works fine on both. So either it was a hardware issue from the start or the utility. A simple HD swap could have saved me days of work.