You cannot automatically log on by using the AutoLogonCount and AdminPassword options after you use Sysprep.exe on Windows Server 2003 (889715)

Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

You cannot automatically log on to your computer after you install Microsoft Windows Server 2003 by using the System Preparation (Sysprep.exe) tool with the AutoLogonCount and the AdminPassword answer file (Sysprep.inf) options.

You may also receive the following message:

The system could not log you on. Make sure your User name and domain name are correct, then type your password again. Letters in passwords must be typed using the correct case.

CAUSE

This issue occurs when the following conditions are true:

The computer where the Sysprep tool master image is created has the DefaultPassword registry entry located in the following Windows registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
You use the AutoLogonCount and AdminPassword answer file options for the installation.
You run the Sysprep tool to perform an unattended installation of Windows Server 2003 by using the master image and answer files that are described in this section.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove the DefaultPassword registry entry from the Windows registry on the master computer. Then re-create the image by using the Sysprep tool. To do this, follow these steps on the Windows Server 2003-based computer that will be used to create the master image.

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Right-click DefaultPassword, click Delete, and then click Yes.
Quit Registry Editor.
Re-create the master image by using the Sysprep tool.