Re: Administrator account disabled in SBS 2008 but password is now kn
- From: "Ace Fekay [Microsoft Certified Trainer]" <aceman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:37:34 -0400
"MWACSNY" <MWACSNY@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:DC6D46FD-915D-4DBB-AF9C-B103F36793DF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"MWACSNY" wrote:
I have a 240 day evaluation set for Small Business Server 2008 meant for
demonstrating to a very high value customer. First installed in late
December
2008 but then this customer was not ready. Did not try to log in again
until
mid March when the customer showed some interest but I had forgotten the
passwords for both my user account and the Administrator account. Did not
realize that excessive failed attempts to log in could cause accounts to
be
disabled. I believe both accounts were disabled then but as the customer
quickly put this project on the back burner again I did not worry too
much.
Now that the customer is hot on this I have made a very serious attempt
to
log back in and finish up the server installation and to install
Exchange,
etc.
I finally figured out the password for the Administrator account and used
it
to get into Safe mode with networking through which I am submitting this
post
now. However, I can now see that this is a catastrophe- I can not get a
successful log into normal mode with the same password that worked in
safe
mode but instead I get an account disabled message. I have tried
everything I
can think of to reenable the Administrator account when I am in safe
mode. I
get messages to the effect that the domain controller can not be located
and
there are no users defined. The Server service is disabled. I can not
create
a new user account either. I am debating whether my real problem is a
disabled Administrator account or an expired evaluation period. I get
access
denied when I try to run the VB script to extend the evaluation period.
Is
there any way to log into normal mode so I can get this install of SBS
2008
working again at least through the July 4th weekend after which the
client
wants to make a decision on a new Server that would be his inhouse mail
server or will I need to reinstall from the beginning? If I start all
over it
may lessen the likelihood that I will meet his time requirements. First
his
foot dragging precipitated my forgetting the passwords and now when I'm
stuck
he wants to move fast.
I have decided to follow the advice of Duncan and Ace to reinstall from
the
beginning. Actually Exchange had been installed but not set up yet to
demo.
No matter, since none of the three posts gave me any clue as to how to
recover and only one concluded the troubles were due to expiration but no
means were offered to get it extended. Russ only questioned how I was
using
the server. I clearly stated there were no production accounts on it but
it
was to be used to demo for a mail server sale to a valued customer whose
file
server and network I already maintain. This demo must occur in the next
three
weeks or he is likely to nix it altogether.
I guess I wanted help to repair mainly because I strongly disagree with
the
policy that caused this situation, namely disabling the administrator
account
because of a temporary lapse in remembering the password and preventing
the
extension of a trial installation which expired due to non-use when there
should be about two months use still available to it - from the
installation
date of 12/15/08 until now is less than 6 months and this trial should be
good for 240 days.
I believe you aree in a catch 22 situation where the account is disabled,
and the trial has ended, therefore you can't get into to reset or unlock the
account because of the expiration, or even get into run whatever script you
had to do it. It would have probably taking you longer or wasting time to
try to fix something such as a trial installation that has expired instead
of simply reinstalling it.
I think a fresh start will work well. Besides, three weeks is plenty. I can
have that box up in one day, albeit a long day, but one day. It will also
allow you to customize it just for the customer.
Good luck, and I hope your customer goes for it!
Ace
.
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