Profiles not loading

[Jambo_C]

Hi,

I have a Server 2003 domain and recently when some people have been logging on it hasn't been loading their roaming profiles.

I've tried deleting their profile on the server so it will re-create it but it still doesn't do it. It only started out with it happening to a few users but it seems to be happening to more and more now.

It's frustrating because they don't get the "pupil" start menu and their network share isn't being linked to "my documents" so they keep saving into "my documents" and losing work when they log off.

There doesn't seem to be any logic or pattern to it.

If anyone has any suggestions of what to try or look for I'd appreciate it.

Thanks a lot.

[Mcshammer_dj]

have you set up the user hive service.

Down load the user hive service from MS and set it to run via GPO. This may sort the problems

[Dom_]

Do you run sophos? There's a setting in the firewall policy - allow all traffic.

I was having a similar issue, but it went away (mainly) when i ticked this box.

[Michael]

Make sure your Profiles$ share is working properly. If necessary, re-apply/re-create the share and permissions. Remember users should have full access!

[K.C.Leblanc]

I sometimes edit the ntuser.man using regedit. I find this can leave the file locked. If I reboot the machine I did the editing from this solves it (not really an issue unless you're using the server to do the editing).

[elsiegee40]

To get the new copy of the profile, you have to delete from the server, BUT

... you must also delete any profiles hanging around on the local machines.

Search for delprof on these boards for any easy way of doing this.

[Michael]

To get the new copy of the profile, you have to delete from the server, BUT

... you must also delete any profiles hanging around on the local machines.

An alternative (and much easier method) is to give them a new profile with a different name. jbloggs1 jbloggs2 etc... something unique.

[elsiegee40]

An alternative (and much easier method) is to give them a new profile with a different name. jbloggs1 jbloggs2 etc... something unique.

I'll stick with delprof! It reduces the clutter!

[Jambo_C]

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestions.

I've tried the User Hive cleanup service and I've checked the permissions on the profiles$ folder, neither of these worked.

I tried changing one users profile to another name (ie. putting a one on the end) and I didn't get the error saying it couldn't find the profile but it didn't work properly, the start menu doesn't load properly and their "My Documents" doesn't link to their home folder on the network.

I'm pretty puzzled right now as to what is going on.

[Dom_]

Did you add any PC's to your domain recently?

[Jambo_C]

I'd not added anything immediately before the problems started. I add stuff now and again when we re-image machines or get new ones but there's not been any major additions.

[srochford]

I sometimes edit the ntuser.man using regedit. I find this can leave the file locked. If I reboot the machine I did the editing from this solves it (not really an issue unless you're using the server to do the editing).

Just remember to do "unload hive" when you've finished - this saves the changes and cleanly closes the file.

If you still have problems then try running procexp (sysinternals) to find out what process is holding the file open.

[Brpilot99]

Do check that the P'Cs dns setting are still pointing at your DNS server .... if this is not he case it can take to long to login and group policies are aborted on the PC ....

Just a thought !! as Ive had this ....

Cheers
Brian
www.kid-smart.co.uk

[Jambo_C]

Hi,

I've checked and the DNS is fine. It does seem to be user specific rather than machine specific, it seems to be happening to more and more people though.

[Fraser-09]

Is there anything in the event log?

Also, make sure either the Administrators group or the user are the owner of their roaming profile folder on the network share.