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We're facing some trouble with our Windows Server 2008 R2 installation.

The passwords expired and we're prompted to change the password.

After changing it, we get following error message:

Configuration Information could no be read from the domain controller, either because the machine is unavailable, or access has been denied.

But we aren't even using a domain controller.

So we tried running the server in Safe Mode where we get following message after changing the password:

An attempt was made to logon, but the network logon service was not started.

Are there any other things I could try?

All help is more than appreciated!

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Is this the password for the service account which has expired? – Rob Sanders Mar 9 '10 at 8:07

3 Answers

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More context needed.

  • Single server, no domain you say

  • Have you tried a restart?

  • Have you tried WAITING after server start? It can take some minutes until the SAM is loaded and the local passwords are available.

  • What is the server name, what do you enter into the user name field? Not interested in the password - just validating there really is no domain involved.

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- Yes, it's a single server - Several times, no difference - Well, we made it so that the server does logon automatically - therefore we are prompted to change the password every time - The user is selected by default already, - due to auto logon -> is there a way to logon using the administrator account? – Shaharyar Mar 9 '10 at 7:54
No idea then, too. never do auto logon - dont know it like that. After logon failure you should sort of be able to log in manually, or? – TomTom Mar 9 '10 at 8:00
I thought the same. It doesn't allow you to change the user... – Shaharyar Mar 9 '10 at 8:01
Hate to say so... happy reinstallation. You got a password recovery disc? if not.... next time you have. Sucks, but I also have no idea what else to do. – TomTom Mar 9 '10 at 8:02
Found out, how to do it. Wasn't that hard :-], no reinstallation required. – Shaharyar Mar 9 '10 at 13:27
up vote 0 down vote

Are you not able to F8 during reboot and go safe mode or safe mode command line, then remove auto logon? (roll back on restore point perhaps?)

Auto logon to a server seems like a bad idea... if you have stuff you need to run automatically, then run it as a service: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/137890

How about loggin on remotly via RDP? Could easily specify administrator then.

Guess you could try using a password hack disc as a last resort, or mount the HD in a different box (could be hard if it is rack server). I use one regularly on non-domain deadlocked clients.

GLHF :)

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Thanks for your answer. Even loggin in in safe mode with command prompt didn't work -> it required the password first. – Shaharyar Mar 9 '10 at 9:42
It was very easy, provided the answer / solution as an answer here :-) – Shaharyar Mar 9 '10 at 13:28
up vote 1 down vote

Yes, it's working now!

Solution:

We got it to work by just rolling back the BIOS clock.

This has reset the password expiration date and everything worked like a charm!

Thanks for all the help!

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