Local user account disabled automatically (Windows XP)?

[jillelf]

I have Windows XP laptops set up on the domain (Windows Server 2003), but they log on locally. There is a local account for Student with no password, and I have AutoAdminLogon set up to save a step - it has been working just fine until recently...

 

Two of the laptops have seemingly automatically disabled the Student account. I am unable to enable it via the User Management in Control Panel because it says the password does not meet the minimum requirements. Does anyone know where the requirements are pulling from and/or how I can fix this? I tried adjusting the password requirements on the domain in case that was the issue, but it didn't work. The first time I ended up having to re-image the machine because I couldn't find another resolution.

[VeryPC_Tom_M]

Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Account Policies\Password Policy

 

Determines whether passwords must meet complexity requirements.

If this policy is enabled, passwords must meet the following minimum requirements:

[TD="class: listBullet"]•
[TD="class: listItem"]Not contain all or part of the user's account name



[TD="class: listBullet"]•
[TD="class: listItem"]Be at least six characters in length



[TD="class: listBullet"]•
[TD="class: listItem"]Contain characters from three of the following four categories:


[TD="class: listBullet"]•
[TD="class: listItem"]English uppercase characters (A through Z)



[TD="class: listBullet"]•
[TD="class: listItem"]English lowercase characters (a through z)



[TD="class: listBullet"]•
[TD="class: listItem"]Base 10 digits (0 through 9)



[TD="class: listBullet"]•
[TD="class: listItem"]Nonalphanumeric characters (e.g., !, $, #, %)

Complexity requirements are enforced when passwords are changed or created.

[jillelf]

Thank you! I found it, but unfortunately that didn't help - I was unable to change the local settings because the domain settings override it.

 

BUT - I did resolve the issue!

1) Removed the machine from the domain

2) Enable account in User Management

3) Join the machine to the domain

 

Thanks for leading me to the answer!