Cannot set user or admin passwords

XP laptop, SP3. Attempt to set either a user, admin or create a new user and password the account results in the following error:

The password you typed does not meet the password policy requirements. Check the minimum password length, password complexity and password history requirements.

This is on a stand alone machine, not connected to any domain or workgroup. I check the security settings, and all are at 0 for length, etc.

Anyone familiar with this error message? Way to fix other than nuking this machine and starting from scratch?

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Comments

RobertKaucher

Rather than having been applied via a GPO some little bit of malware or something may have modified settings in the registry. I suggest you use Dial-A-Fix to apply the default security settings template (simpler than doing it via sec edit).

|MG| Dial-a-fix 0.60.0.24 Download

Claymoore

Is there a local group policy in effect? Run rsop.msc to see if there are any settings being applied.

Are there any other security applications that are installed? Maybe one of those is enforcing its own password policy.

Megadeth4168

When you say that you checked the security settings, do you mean the Local Security Policy under Administrative tools?

Is password Complexity set to disabled?

You may be able to use Ultimate Boot CD to set a password. I wouldn't advice it, but I am guilty of doing it myself, but not to solve this type of issue.

RobertKaucher

RobertKaucher wrote: »

Rather than having been applied via a GPO some little bit of malware or something may have modified settings in the registry. I suggest you use Dial-A-Fix to apply the default security settings template (simpler than doing it via sec edit).

|MG| Dial-a-fix 0.60.0.24 Download

If resetting the default security template does not fix this check the registry keys manually. Here is a spread sheet with all the GP settings and their corresponding registry keys:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/a/3/aa32239c-3a23-46ef-ba8b-da786e167e5e/PolicySettings.xls