Unable to logon interactively

[Peter B]

I tried to make a direct cable connection from me Desktop
(Win 98) to my Laptop (Win 2k)in order to transfer files
from Desktop to Laptop. I made my Desktop the Host & my
Laptop the guest computer. The connection was made
successfully but it would drop before i could coppy &
paste the files i needed. This happened for hours. I
then made my Desktop the guest & Laptop the host but Win
2k kept on insisting on a password and a domain. I read
all the help toppics on this issue on both PC's, but even
after offering a password & domain my Laptop would insist
that it was incorrect. Many hours later & quite
desperate, I ventured into the "Administrator tools" in
Control Panel & disabled everything & anything I could
find relating to passwords for networking. BIG MISTAKE!
That didn't work but what's worse is that when I shut down
& rebooted, my Laptop asks for a "User name & Password".
After entering these, I get a message "The local policy of
this system does not permit you to logon interactively."
I've tried everything. I can't even get into "Safe Mode
or Command Promp". I tried making the "settup disks" (4
stiffies required) and booting up that way, but get an
error message with the first disk. I'm not sure if that
is because I have two opperating systems on my Laptop, Win
2k & Win 98?

I like to think of myself as quite a wizz when it comes to
Win 98, but Win 2k is all new to me and very complicated
at this stage. I can't even format & reinstall Win 2k if
I wanted to. Is my Laptop dead 4 ever? I have very
expensive software on it (Not compatible with Win 98)in
order to do my job and can't afford to lose it.

Please, someone help!

Peter B

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Hi Peter. See the link below about a possible solution. Basically what you did was
revoked your user right to logon locally. However that in no way should prevent you
from reinstalling the OS if necessary. Usually it is easiest to boot install disk
from cdrom. If it comes to a reinstall, you may want to skip the format and reinstall
into existing \winnt folder that will be detected during the installation process.
That should leave your data intact as long as none of it is encrypted with EFS and
you have do not have a backup key. You will have to reinstall the service pack you
used, all critical updates detected at Windows Update site, and all the software on
top of themselves [reinstall into same folders]. A new profile will be created for
you when you first logon, but your old one should still be available under documents
and settings folder. --- Steve

http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBG/TIP3300/rh3361.htm
http://www.petri.co.il/download_free_reskit_tools.htm -- Ntrights.exe available here