System Policy Editor Will Not Allow More Than 255 Characters (173385)

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, perform the following steps:

1. To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

   
   If a logon banner of greater than 1024 characters is required, a supported fix is now available from Microsoft that will allow the administrator to create a logon banner of up to 2048 characters. This fix has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. If you are not severely affected by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows NT service pack that contains this fix.
   
   To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:
   
   http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS
   
   The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
   
   

   Date	Time	Size	File Name	Platform
   10/26/98	01:21p	123,152	poledit.exe	i386
   10/26/98	01:21p	156,788	poledit.dbg	i386
   10/26/98	01:23p	196,880	poledit.exe	alpha
   10/26/98	01:23p	96,700	poledit.dbg	alpha

   
   
   
2. Use a text editor, such as Notepad, to change the following in the Winnt.adm file:
   
   for Windows NT:
   
   from:
   

            CATEGORY !!Login_Policies
               POLICY !!LogonBanner
               KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon"
   
                  PART !!LogonBanner_Text                 EDITTEXT
                  VALUENAME "LegalNoticeText"
                  MAXLEN 255
                  DEFAULT !!LogonBanner_DefText
                  END PART
   						

   to:

            CATEGORY !!Login_Policies
               POLICY !!LogonBanner
               KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon"
   
                  PART !!LogonBanner_Text                 EDITTEXT
                  VALUENAME "LegalNoticeText"
                  MAXLEN 1024
                  DEFAULT !!LogonBanner_DefText
                  END PART
   						

   NOTE: Replace 1024 with 2048 for the hotfix.
   
   for Windows 95:
   
   from:

            VALUENAME "LegalNoticeText"
            MAXLEN 255
            DEFAULT !!LogonBanner_DefText
   						

   to:

            VALUENAME "LegalNoticeText"
            MAXLEN 1000
            DEFAULT !!LogonBanner_DefText
   						

   
   NOTE: Replace 1000 with 2048 for the hotfix.
3. Save file and quit the text editor.

To work around this problem, perform the following steps:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" online Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

Modify the following registry key directly for this value and do not use a System Policy that will affect this registry key.

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
2. Locate the LegalNoticeText:REG_SZ: value under the following key in the registry:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion \Winlogon
   
   NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.
3. Click String on the Edit menu, type the new value, and then click OK.
4. Quit Registry Editor.
5. Do not use a system policy that affects this registry key.