Unable to Specify Domain in the "Log on to" Box in Windows 2000 (254045)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q254045

SYMPTOMS

When you log on to a Windows 2000-based computer that is a domain member or domain controller, the Log on to box in which you can specify the domain may be inactive.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the last user logged on to the computer by using a user principal name (UPN) in the User name box (for example, username@domainname.com). You may also notice that the Log on to box is set to the local computer but is inactive. If you then attempt to log on using an unqualified user name (for example, username), you must set the Log on to box back to the correct domain.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft does not recommend using the at sign (@) as part of a user name. Although this character is allowed for NetBIOS names, it causes the problem described in this article when you use this character as part of a user name. If you want to use the at sign as part of the user name, you must specify the UPN of the user in the User name box. For example:

User name = username@1
Domain = domainname.com
Specify user name at logon as: test@1@domainname.com

The Log on to box is used in conjunction with friendly user names. This feature eliminates the need to specify the UPN in the User name box with each user logon attempt in a Windows 2000 domain. However, if you specify the UPN, the use of the Log on to box is automatically disabled.

By default, user names are displayed in the User name box according to how the last user specified his or her logon. To modify this behavior, refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

237890 After Upgrade to Windows 2000 Last Logged On User Name Displayed

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

243280 Users Can Log in Using User Name or User Principle Name

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/20/2003
Keywords:kbnetwork kbprb KB254045
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