Multiple Machines and User Profiles 4

[dplotts]

After switching everyone from an Nt4 server to 2003 server and using the domain migration tool, about 5 out of the 17 computers in our office (all running XP pro) have developed a problem with user profiles.

If a user logs out, then tries to log back in they get an error message about the profile being missing, and having to use a temporary profile. If the user reboots there isn't a problem.

The events from the event log are below. Does anyone know what the problem may be? I've tried using msconfig to limit what starts up, but that doesn't work.

---------------------
Event ID: 1508
Windows was unable to load the registry. This is often caused by
insufficient memory or insufficient security rights.

DETAIL - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by
another process. for C:\Documents and Settings\rcl\ntuser.dat
---------------------
Event ID: 1502
Windows cannot load the locally stored profile. Possible causes of this
error include insufficient security rights or a corrupt local profile. If
this problem persists, contact your network administrator.

DETAIL - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by
another process.
---------------------
Event ID: 1515
Windows has backed up this user's profile. Windows will automatically try to
use the backed up profile the next time this user logs on.
---------------------
Event ID: 1511
Windows cannot find the local profile and is logging you on with a temporary
profile. Changes you make to this profile will be lost when you log off.
---------------------

 

[markdmac]

I've seen this before. Check out the profiles on the computer.

Right Click My Computer
Choose Properties
Click the Advanced Tab
Choose Settings under User Profiles.

Look for Account Unknown in the profiles list. There are usually a large number if the problem has existed for a while. Delete all the Unknown Account Profiles. Reboot.

 

[tipifire]

For anyone else that reads this. Be Careful To copy over the profile in "\documents and settings\(this is where the profile is)" I found out it deletes the folder, its not like when you delete a user and the folder stays. I restored it from the recycle bin but its did not restore everything including my mircosoft outlook and its seems as some of the stuff in the "My Documents" folder. And I tried to use a recovery program but it gave my errors. I should know to backup by now.

The perfection we strive for should be our acceptance of imperfection and to gain answers to our problems, we should always add the unknown as one possibility

 

[BadFrog]

Related to this problem, does anyone know which process or process's are locking the ntuser.dat file? I just tried the fix suggested by deleting the unknown accounts and hopefully that will cure it. To satisfy my curiousity I would like to know which process is locking the ntuser.dat.

TIA for any help.

"Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy"
Albert Einstein

 

[markdmac]

The NTUSER.DAT file will usually be locked if the user is a member of the admins group. Remove the user from local admins, reboot and you should be able to delete the profile.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark