Group Policy application fails on a computer

 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/840669

When you start your Microsoft Windows 2000-based, Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1)-based, or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based computer on a wired network or on a wireless network that has 802.11 authentication, Group Policy may not apply as expected, or the computer may not join the Active Directory directory service. 

When you view the log files in Event Viewer, you see the following entries:

 

• Event ID: 1054 
  Source: Userenv 
  Type: Error 
  Description: Windows cannot obtain the domain controller name for the computer network. (The specified domain either does not exist or exist or could not be contacted). Group Policy processing aborted. Data: (unavailable)

• Event ID: 1000 
  Source: UserInit 
  Type: Error 
  Description: Could not execute the following script AdminPassword.bat. The system cannot find the file specified. Data: (unavailable)

 

Additionally, the following entries are logged in the Userenv.log log file:

 

• USERENV(52c.18c) 16:36:14:597 ProcessGPOs: The DC for domain <domain> is not available at startup. Retrying.

• USERENV(52c.18c) 16:36:14:597 RetryDCContactAtMachineStartup: Enter.

• USERENV(52c.18c) 16:36:14:597 RetryDCContactAtMachineStartup: Failed to query GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue with 2, exit.

• USERENV(52c.18c) 16:36:14:597 RetryDCContactAtMachineStartup: Exit with status 1355.

• USERENV(52c.18c) 16:36:14:597 ProcessGPOs: The DC for domain <domain> is not available after retries.

• USERENV(52c.18c) 16:36:14:597 ProcessGPOs: The DC for domain <domain> is not available. aborting

• USERENV(52c.18c) 16:36:14:757 ProcessGPOs: No WMI logging done in this policy cycle.

• USERENV(52c.18c) 16:36:14:757 ProcessGPOs: Processing failed with error 1355.

 

 

CAUSE

 

This problem may occur if the Group Policy engine or Active Directory times out while it waits for the network to start. A race condition may occur between the TCP/IP protocol and the network adaptor driver when they try to register with the Microsoft Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS). If the TCP/IP protocol registers with NDIS before the network adaptor driver, for a short time it prompts higher user mode networking components that network connectivity is not available. During this short time, the Group Policy startup script cannot be downloaded.

This problem is more likely to occur on fast networks that use 1-gigabit network adaptors or in teaming environments where the network takes several additional cycles to negotiate link speed.

 

 

 

Windows 2000

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix. 

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

 

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

 

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

 

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

 

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfix.

 

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

 Date Time Version Size File name ---------------------------------------------------------- 17-Jun-2004 23:05 5.0.2195.6951 46,352 Basesrv.dll 21-Sep-2003 00:45 5.0.2195.6824 236,304 Cmd.exe 17-Jun-2004 23:05 5.0.2195.6945 231,184 Gdi32.dll 17-Jun-2004 23:05 5.0.2195.6946 712,464 Kernel32.dll 24-Mar-2004 02:17 5.0.2195.6898 37,136 Mf3216.dll 24-Mar-2004 02:17 5.0.2195.6824 54,544 Mpr.dll 17-Jun-2004 23:05 5.0.2195.6928 335,120 Msgina.dll 24-Mar-2004 02:17 5.0.2195.6892 90,264 Rdpwd.sys 06-Jan-2005 04:29 5.0.2195.7017 6,278,656 Sp3res.dll 24-Mar-2004 02:17 5.0.2195.6897 403,216 User32.dll 18-Jan-2005 05:44 5.0.2195.7021 396,048 Userenv.dll 10-Aug-2004 03:51 5.0.2195.6966 1,632,624 Win32k.sys 24-Aug-2004 22:59 5.0.2195.6970 182,544 Winlogon.exe 17-Jun-2004 23:05 5.0.2195.6946 244,496 Winsrv.dll 17-Jun-2004 23:05 5.0.2195.6946 712,464 Kernel32.dll 10-Aug-2004 03:51 5.0.2195.6966 1,632,624 Win32k.sys 17-Jun-2004 23:05 5.0.2195.6946 244,496 Winsrv.dll

After you apply this hotfix, you must add the GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue registry entry. This entry defines the number of seconds to wait before you try to run the Group Policy startup script again. To find the value that will work for your configuration, define a decimal value of 60, and then increase the value until the problem is resolved. To add the registry entry and to define the value, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Expand the following subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3. Right-click Winlogon, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. To name the new entry, type GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue, and then click Modify.
6. Under Base, click Decimal.
7. In the Value data box, type 60, and then click OK.
8. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.
9. If the Group Policy startup script does not run, increase the value of the GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue registry entry.

 

Windows XP Service Pack 1

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix. 

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

 

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language. The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows XP, 64-bit versions

 Date Time Version Size File name Platform -------------------------------------------------------------------- 04-Jun-2004 05:52 5.1.2600.1534 1,718,272 Userenv.dll IA-64 04-Jun-2004 05:44 5.1.2600.1534 672,256 Wuserenv.dll x86

Windows XP, 32-bit versions

 Date Time Version Size File name ------------------------------------------------------- 04-Jun-2004 05:44 5.1.2600.1534 672,256 Userenv.dll

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

 

322756  How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

After you apply this hotfix, you must add the GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue registry entry. This entry defines the number of seconds to wait before trying to run the Group Policy startup script again. To find the value that will work for your configuration, define a decimal value of 60, and then increase the value until the problem is resolved. To add the registry entry and to define the value, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Expand the following subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3. Right-click Winlogon, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. To name the new entry, type GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue, and then click Modify.
6. Under Base, click Decimal.
7. In the Value data box, type 60, and then click OK.
8. Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.
9. If the Group Policy startup script does not run, increase the value of the GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValueregistry entry.

 

Windows XP Service Pack 2

After you apply Windows XP Service Pack 2, you must add the GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue registry entry. This entry defines the number of seconds to wait before trying to run the Group Policy startup script again. To find the value that will work for your configuration, define a decimal value of 60, and then increase the value until the problem is resolved. To add the registry entry and to define the value, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Expand the following subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3. Right-click Winlogon, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. To name the new entry, type GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue, and then click Modify.
6. Under Base, click Decimal.
7. In the Value data box, type 60, and then click OK.
8. Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.
9. If the Group Policy startup script does not run, increase the value of the GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValueregistry entry.

 

Creating a Group Policy network start timeout policy

The GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue policy timeout can be specified in the registry in two locations:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon
•  

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

You can do this by adding a DWORD value of GpNetworkStartTimeoutPolicyValue with a number of seconds between 30 and 600.

Windows reads the Winlogon subkey first. Then, Windows reads the Policies subkey. The value in the Policies subkey supersedes any value in the Winlogon subkey. There is no user interface that you can use to set this Group Policy object (GPO). Therefore, you have to deploy a custom ADM file in order to set the GPO.

The value specified should be of sufficient duration to make sure that the connection is made. During the timeout period, Windows examines the connection status every two seconds and continues with system startup as soon as the connection is confirmed. Therefore, setting the value larger than the minimum value of 30 is recommended. However, be advised that if the system is legitimately disconnected, Windows will stall for the whole timeout period. 

Note Examples of the system being legitimately disconnected include the network cable being disconnected or if the server is offline.

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

Note This problem is known to occur on Toshiba Dynabook laptops that use an Intel network adapter. The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.