Group Policy that you edit in Windows XP does not work in Windows 2000

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SYMPTOMS

When you install the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools Pack in Microsoft Windows XP and then use the Group Policy Editor in Windows XP to configure domain policies, you may find that the policies do not work on Microsoft Windows 2000-based computers. The application event log will contain an event that is similar to the following:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: SceCli
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1202

Description:
Security policies were propagated with warning. 0x4b8 : An extended error has occurred. For best results in resolving this event, log on with a non-administrative account and search http://support.microsoft.com for "Troubleshooting Event 1202s".

Additionally, after you use the Group Policy Editor in Windows XP to configure domain policies, you cannot use a Windows 2000-based computer to edit the policies.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs when you use Windows XP to configure domain policies. Windows XP uses Security Descriptor Definition Language (SDDL) abbreviations in the .inf files that define domain policies. Windows 2000 does not recognize SDDL abbreviations. For example, Windows XP uses the "LS" abbreviation for "Local Service Account." Because Windows 2000 does not recognize SDDL abbreviations, you cannot edit or apply these policies on Windows 2000-based computers.
For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

827012 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827012/ ) "Windows Cannot Read Template Information" error message when you try to view a Windows XP-based template in a windows 2000 domain

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RESOLUTION

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/EN-US/ ) How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

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Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   02-Mar-2004  21:45  5.1.2600.1360     171,008  Scecli.dll

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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, edit domain policies in Microsoft Windows Server 2003. Windows Server 2003 will write domain policies in a format that is compatible with Windows 2000.

If you use only Windows 2000 to create and to edit domain policies, you will not have this problem.

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.

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