Running Scheduled Task in XP Home w/o password

H

hendis

Thanks to anybody that can help! My boss has asked me to set up several
computer maintenance tasks on the company's computers, and to schedule
them to run when no one is in the office. (I am planning on an
auto-reboot and sageset/sagerun, disk defrag, etc...at about 5 am.) I
am trying to set up this/these task(s), but I'm having problems...

Some of the machines are networked, others are standalone. All of the
networked machines are running WinXP Home, while the standalones are
running Win95 or Win98. Unfortunately, the "powers that be" have
decided not to give me the user names and passwords involved.

First, I went to "http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm (Line
67)", downloaded the "sthome.vbs" file, executed it, then went to Start
| Run, and typed CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2, and in the next dialog box, I
unchecked the box that requires users to enter a password to use the
system. Finally, I set up a scheduled task to reboot the computer.
(C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\shutdown.exe /r)

Unfortunately, the task didn't run.

Next, I deleted the task, then went to the registry, and checked the
registry item
"HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" and verified
that the "limitblankpassworduse" type was "REG DWORD" and its data was
"0".

I recreated the task and used the username and password for the account
that I was logged into, and the task ran without a problem. Obviously,
the problem/glitch/whatever was in the username/password used when the
task was created. I deleted the task, then recreated the task again
without a password. I set the task to run automatically 5 minutes into
the future, then OK'd my way out, and waited...and waited... and
waited...and nothing happened.

Now, I checked the Task Scheduler Log - the relevant portion is pasted
below:

"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 11:32:24 AM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe)
Started 7/22/2006 11:33:01 AM
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe)
Finished 7/22/2006 11:33:01 AM
Result: The task completed with an exit code of (0).
"Task Scheduler Service"
Exited at 7/22/2006 11:33:38 AM
"Task Scheduler Service"
Started at 7/22/2006 11:34:31 AM
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe)
Started 7/22/2006 11:54:55 AM
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe)
Finished 7/22/2006 11:54:55 AM
Result: The task completed with an exit code of (0).
"Task Scheduler Service"
Exited at 7/22/2006 11:55:34 AM
"Task Scheduler Service"
Started at 7/22/2006 11:56:26 AM
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:00:56 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"Task Scheduler Service"
Exited at 7/22/2006 12:02:25 PM
"Task Scheduler Service"
Started at 7/22/2006 12:03:16 PM
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:03:58 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:07:17 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:08:17 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:08:24 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:10:00 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:12:40 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:13:47 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:13:56 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:15:00 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
[ ***** Most recent entry is above this line ***** ]

I know that normally, Scheduled Tasks REQUIRE an administrator-level
account username and password to run. However, a large number of MS-MVP
replies refer the poster to the .VBS on Line 67 at
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm or alternatively, they
describe a settings change using CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2 or a registry
hack to
HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa. I have done
everything that was previously posted, but I just can't get this to
work. I've been wrestling with this for about 4 hours. Is there a
workaround to XP needing a password? Can I use a SYSTEM account? (If
so, please explain how.)

Thanks in advance to anybody that can help!

hendis
 
P

Pegasus \(MVP\)

Thanks to anybody that can help! My boss has asked me to set up several
computer maintenance tasks on the company's computers, and to schedule
them to run when no one is in the office. (I am planning on an
auto-reboot and sageset/sagerun, disk defrag, etc...at about 5 am.) I
am trying to set up this/these task(s), but I'm having problems...

Some of the machines are networked, others are standalone. All of the
networked machines are running WinXP Home, while the standalones are
running Win95 or Win98. Unfortunately, the "powers that be" have
decided not to give me the user names and passwords involved.

First, I went to "http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm (Line
67)", downloaded the "sthome.vbs" file, executed it, then went to Start
| Run, and typed CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2, and in the next dialog box, I
unchecked the box that requires users to enter a password to use the
system. Finally, I set up a scheduled task to reboot the computer.
(C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\shutdown.exe /r)

Unfortunately, the task didn't run.

Next, I deleted the task, then went to the registry, and checked the
registry item
"HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" and verified
that the "limitblankpassworduse" type was "REG DWORD" and its data was
"0".

I recreated the task and used the username and password for the account
that I was logged into, and the task ran without a problem. Obviously,
the problem/glitch/whatever was in the username/password used when the
task was created. I deleted the task, then recreated the task again
without a password. I set the task to run automatically 5 minutes into
the future, then OK'd my way out, and waited...and waited... and
waited...and nothing happened.

Now, I checked the Task Scheduler Log - the relevant portion is pasted
below:

"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 11:32:24 AM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe)
Started 7/22/2006 11:33:01 AM
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe)
Finished 7/22/2006 11:33:01 AM
Result: The task completed with an exit code of (0).
"Task Scheduler Service"
Exited at 7/22/2006 11:33:38 AM
"Task Scheduler Service"
Started at 7/22/2006 11:34:31 AM
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe)
Started 7/22/2006 11:54:55 AM
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe)
Finished 7/22/2006 11:54:55 AM
Result: The task completed with an exit code of (0).
"Task Scheduler Service"
Exited at 7/22/2006 11:55:34 AM
"Task Scheduler Service"
Started at 7/22/2006 11:56:26 AM
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:00:56 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"Task Scheduler Service"
Exited at 7/22/2006 12:02:25 PM
"Task Scheduler Service"
Started at 7/22/2006 12:03:16 PM
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:03:58 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:07:17 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:08:17 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:08:24 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:10:00 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:12:40 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:13:47 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:13:56 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
"reboot local computer.job" (shutdown.exe) 7/22/2006 12:15:00 PM **
ERROR **
The attempt to retrieve account information for the specified task
failed; therefore, the task did not run. Either an error occurred, or
no account information existed for the task.
The specific error is:
0x8004130f: No account information could be found in the Task
Scheduler security database for the task indicated.
[ ***** Most recent entry is above this line ***** ]

I know that normally, Scheduled Tasks REQUIRE an administrator-level
account username and password to run. However, a large number of MS-MVP
replies refer the poster to the .VBS on Line 67 at
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm or alternatively, they
describe a settings change using CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2 or a registry
hack to
HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa. I have done
everything that was previously posted, but I just can't get this to
work. I've been wrestling with this for about 4 hours. Is there a
workaround to XP needing a password? Can I use a SYSTEM account? (If
so, please explain how.)

Thanks in advance to anybody that can help!

hendis

No, tasks scheduled with the Task Scheduler do not require
an admin account/password. Any account will do, as long as
there is a non-blank password. The task will, of course, be
unable to access networked resources that are inaccessible to
the chosen account.

You can also schedule tasks from a Command Prompt,
using at.exe. These tasks do not require an account - they
run under the System account. You may have to run at.exe
while logged on as Administrator - I'm not sure. Note that
these tasks do not have any access to networked resources.

The command "control userpasswords2" refers to your
foreground logon session, not to scheduled tasks.
 

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