SMS: Installations Using Automatic Logon Fail in Systems Management Server (260828)

CAUSE

Automatic logon is a feature in Microsoft Windows NT, and Microsoft Windows 2000 that allows the automated logon of a specified user ID and password, when the currently-logged on user is logged off or the system is restarted. This can be executed at kiosk workstations where the workstation is "locked down" to prevent unauthorized access.

Systems Management Server version 2.0 has an option for software distribution, allowing a Systems Management Server program to restart a computer at the end of an installation. This is done by going to the Program properties, and then, on the General tab, selecting the Restarts Computer option for a package in the After Running: drop-down box.

When deploying software with System Management Server with Windows Installer MSI file for applications such as Office 2000 SR1, Setup performs its pre-restart actions and writes entries to the run-once key for the post-restart processing.

During the software installation process, Systems Management Server logs off the currently-logged-on user. The automatic logon feature allows a logon to occur immediately thereafter. This initiates the run-once process of the application. At the same time, Systems Management Server executes the Restart Computer command, which restarts the system and terminates the run-once processing. After restarting, the application is left in an unknown state.