Cannot Open Local Policy Database

From: Brian Palombo (brian.m.palombo@lmco.com)
Date: 02/11/03 

From: "Brian Palombo" <brian.m.palombo@lmco.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2003 06:28:42 -0800

I recently built a new Win2K w/SP3 machine to include all
Security patches. I imported the compatws.inf template.
The local security policy worked and was accessible as I
did test it and change it. I then ran the sysprep
utilities and imaged the system (PowerQuest Deploy Center
or Drive Image).

Now when I bring up a new system with the image file and
try to access the Local Security Policy (as the local
admin ofcourse), I get the error "Windows cannot open the
local policy database"

I've been building these baseline images the same way for
two years without any issues. With the exception of
adding newer security patches and service packs nothing
has changed in my installation process.

I'm loading a IBM NetVista this time, but have done this a
thousand times on HPs, Dells, Gateways, etc.

Anybody else run in to this issue or have a clue what I
can do to correct it? I've been through just about every
related article in technet that I can find and have tried
a variety of fixes that haven't made a dent.

Two other errors to note. Once I join the machine to a
domain where the domain admin is added to the local
machine admin group, the domain admin does not have
permission to manage the computer. When trying to use the
management console, the error "Temporary directory is not
found or there is not enough disk space" comes up.

This is obviously a permission error (but doesn't make
sense) and I believe it is related to the first issue to.
Some thing is grossly wrong with the security policy on
this machine.

I can't even use the Security Configuration and Analysis
snap-in to try and re-add a template. For this one I get
the error "The system cannot find the file specified"

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Brian