Error message: Your account is configured to prevent you from using this computer

When you try to log on to a remote access server, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following: When you try to log on to a console of a remote access server, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:

This issue may occur if a security policy is set to shut down the computer if a user unsuccessfully tries to log on to a remote access service.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: To resolve this issue, remove the security policy, and then edit the registry key.

Part 1: Disable the Security Policy

Disable the following Group Policy setting on either the default domain or the domain controller organizational unit: You can find this policy on the default domain policy, default domain controller policy, and local security policy.

Note After you disable the security policy, you must also remove the security policy registry key.

Part 2: Edit the CrashOnAuditFail Registry Key

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedt32.exe, and then click OK.
3. Click the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\CrashOnAuditFail
4. In the right pane, double-click CrashOnAuditFail.
5. In the Value data box, type 0 (zero), and then click OK.
6. Click Start, and then click Run.
7. In the Open box, type secedit /refreshpolicy machine_policy /enforce, and then click OK to apply the new security setting.
8. Restart your server.

For more information about Windows 2000 security templates and policies, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: