Corrupt Profile

[mcp6453]

XP SP3 logs into Windows Server 2003 domain. Everything works well for
months. All of a sudden, the user cannot open IE. If we log in as a
different user, everything works fine.

It seems to me that the profile is corrupt. How can I delete and
recreate the profile? If a domain weren't involved, it would be easy. Is
there any difference with a profile of a user that is authenticated on a
domain?

Can I fix the problem with the computer NOT connected to the domain
(since the computer is in my shop?)

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Tuesday, March 17, 2009 1:02:34 PM, and on a whim,
mcp6453 pounded out on the keyboard:

XP SP3 logs into Windows Server 2003 domain. Everything works well for
months. All of a sudden, the user cannot open IE. If we log in as a
different user, everything works fine.

It seems to me that the profile is corrupt. How can I delete and
recreate the profile? If a domain weren't involved, it would be easy. Is
there any difference with a profile of a user that is authenticated on a
domain?

Can I fix the problem with the computer NOT connected to the domain
(since the computer is in my shop?)

You can remove the profile by logging in as the domain Administrator or
the local Administrator. Just verify the user has all the data
elsewhere, along with their browser favorites/bookmarks, Outlook
nickname file (search for *.nk2), etc.


Terry R.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

XP SP3 logs into Windows Server 2003 domain. Everything works well for
months. All of a sudden, the user cannot open IE. If we log in as a
different user, everything works fine.

It seems to me that the profile is corrupt. How can I delete and recreate
the profile? If a domain weren't involved, it would be easy. Is there any
difference with a profile of a user that is authenticated on a domain?

Can I fix the problem with the computer NOT connected to the domain (since
the computer is in my shop?)

Dead easy:
1. Reboot.
2. Log on as Administrator.
3. Rename the corrupt profile folder to something else.
A new profile will be created at the next logon.

 

[mcp6453]

Dead easy:
1. Reboot.
2. Log on as Administrator.
3. Rename the corrupt profile folder to something else.
A new profile will be created at the next logon.

Where do I rename the profile? Under Documents and Settings on the hard
drive?

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Where do I rename the profile? Under Documents and Settings on the hard
drive?

The variable %userprofile% gives the exact location of the current user's
profile FOLDER.

 

[mcp6453]

The variable %userprofile% gives the exact location of the current user's
profile FOLDER.

Sorry to be so anal, but please confirm that are saying that I rename
the profile folder name (using Windows Explorer or a DOS prompt) rather
than make a change from User Profiles or User Management in Windows.

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Sorry to be so anal, but please confirm that are saying that I rename the
profile folder name (using Windows Explorer or a DOS prompt) rather than
make a change from User Profiles or User Management in Windows.

You need to consider what exactly happens when you create a new Windows
account:
1. You create the account (which generates an entry in the SAM).
2. The user logs on.
3. Windows detects that there is no profile folder for this user.
4. Windows generates a new profile folder by creating a clone of the
"Default User" profile folder.

By renaming the corrupted profile folder, you put the user back to Step 2.
That's all!

 

[mcp6453]

You need to consider what exactly happens when you create a new Windows
account:
1. You create the account (which generates an entry in the SAM).
2. The user logs on.
3. Windows detects that there is no profile folder for this user.
4. Windows generates a new profile folder by creating a clone of the
"Default User" profile folder.

By renaming the corrupted profile folder, you put the user back to Step 2.
That's all!

Perfect. Thanks.