Client-Side Extension could not remove computer policy setting. GP Preferences

[brian_backes]

I am currently using GP Preferences to rename the Local Administrator and Guest account, and also to set a password for each of them. This works great on nearly every PC/Server. I have a couple of Windows 2003 Servers that receive the following error every time GP refreshes. Also, the password for the renamed Local Administrator is not being updated, so I know this preference is not being applied.

I've tried searching the web for solutions and so far the only thing I could find is to delete the local GPO History under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Gro up Policy\History e lcoal GPO history. This did not solve my problem.

I've also tried to reinstall the GP preferences on the problem server and that did not work either. Any help would greatly be appreciated.





Event Type: Error
Event Source: Group Policy Local Users and Groups
Event Category: (2)
Event ID: 8194
Date: 10/15/2009
Time: 7:51:18 AM
User: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Computer: MyServer
Description:
The client-side extension could not remove computer policy settings for 'My Group Policy Name {C128AD1B-332F-443F-86EE-AA1B9A30CC42}' because it failed with error code '0x8007000d The data is invalid.' See trace file for more details.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

[Mike.Stephens]

I know there was an issue in the past with the Scheduled Tasks Preference item UI writing the password when clicking Apply and then clearing the password when clicking ok. However, I tested this with Local Users and Groups and I dont believe this to be the case. When I see "the data is invalid" error with Preference items, I look at the raw XML of the preference item. It's not always wrong but it usually leads to the real problem. For example, your Local Administrator is renamed on these computers. How? using GPP or using Security Polciy. If you do not rename the local administrator, does the error go away or change. It's little things like this can confuse GPP.