Microsoft KB Archive/257442

= Administrator Password Set Incorrectly After Unattended Installation =

Article ID: 257442

Article Last Modified on 2/28/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition

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This article was previously published under Q257442





SYMPTOMS
When you install Windows 2000 with an unattended Setup script and you specify a default administrator password by using the AdminPassword key in the [GuiUnattended] section of the answer file, the password may not be set as you typed it.



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if the password you typed starts with or contains an asterisk (*). The asterisk is typically used to specify a blank password in a Windows 2000 unattended installation (if you intend to create a blank password, follow the AdminPassword key with an asterisk).

When Setup parses the asterisk on this line, it ignores any characters after the asterisk. For example, the following two entries have the same effect:

[GuiUnattended]

AdminPassword=*ThisIsMyPassword

-and-

[GuiUnattended]

AdminPassword=*

Both of these examples generate a blank administrator password.



RESOLUTION
Do not use passwords that begin with or contain an asterisk.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.

Keywords: kbprb kbsetup KB257442

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