How to Modify the LoginWindow to eliminate
Home Directory Issues
Summary:
OS X Clients display the following message when attempting to login to an OS X Server network:
"Unable to log in as user "X" at this time. Logging into account failed
because an error occured. The home folder is located on an AFP or SMB
server. Please contact your System Admin."
Theory:
LoginWindow loads prior to workstation establishing a Network connection at startup.
This procedure edits the LoginWindow StartupParameter.plist to require a Network connection.
I have tested this on two different networks, one with 10.3.6 clients connecting to a 10.2.8
Server and one with 10.3.6 clients connecting to a 10.3.6 Server. No negative results or feedback yet, but use at your own risk.
It is possible that this procedure will delay or even stall startup if you have unresolved network issues. As of November 30th, 2004 no delays or other problems have appeared. I did have two users suggest adding DirectoryServices to the requires field along with Network.
WARNING!!
Always work with a copy of the original plist. I am not responsible
for any problems that performing this modification may cause. I
have tested it and everything is still in
working order. But, as they say on all UNIX tutorials "You have
been warned..."
If you did not install the Developer Tools when you setup your
workstation you will need to do so before continuing. Or at least
install the Property List Editor (copy it from your Server if you
have the Developer Tools installed there).
Step 1
On your client workstation go to /System/Library/StartupItems/LoginWindow/StartupParameters.plist and
Option-Drag the file to the desktop.
Step 2
Using Property List Editor open the StartupParameters.plist file that you
placed on the desktop.
Step 3
Click on the disclosure triangle next to Root; then click on the
disclosure triangle next to Requires; you should then see
disclosure triangles numbered 0 and 1.
Step 4
Click on Requires; Click the New Child button.
Step 5
You should now have disclosure triangles numbered 0, 1 and 2 under Requires. In the new child
type "Network" in the value field; added November 23rd, 2004, repeat steps 4 and 5 to add "DirectoryServices" to the Requires field.
Step 6
Save your changes and replace the StartupParameters.plist in the original
file location
(/System/Library/StartupItems/LoginWindow/StartupParameters.plist).
Step 7
Use Apple Remote Desktop to copy the modified StartupParameters.plist to the rest
of your workstations.
Hope this helps make your day a little better.
Send comments, suggestions or corrections to roodavis@mac.com
Rick Davis
The Primax Group
Cincinnati, Ohio
http://www.applehelp.org
theprimaxgroup
650 Northland Blvd. Forest Park, Ohio 45240
P.513.772.1223 F.513.772.0261 Toll-Free.888.856.7377
e-mail:MoreHelp@AppleHelp.org
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