2003 server immediately logs off

You may not have console Local login privleges or there may be a login script that logs you out.

Check GPO and any other security .

Does it work from a different login account  ?

I hope this helps !

Its does the same thing for all accounts at the console

Then you need to check the security and GPO settings.

Can you get in via RDP ?

I can't get there if I can't login. Rpc does the same thing.

Don't know if you've tried this - can you reboot and log in via Safe Mode?  Then maybe you can investigate more.

Safe mode gives the same result

Users can access the shared folders. It is just the console.

Can you look at the 3 event logs from another machine to see if there are any errors or info showing up ?

I hope this helps !

I can I get there without the console?

What are dangers of running the repair from the cd?

Few, although it is always a good idea to back up data.

Data and programs should stay intact.

You will probably  need to reinstall all windows patches.



perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?
you will need the COA key. No persoanl files will be lost this only repairs windows ..

Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.

When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
 
Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.
 
 Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.
 
In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
 
 Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
 
 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.

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I hope this helps !

This is 2003 server.

The repair options should be very similar.

Did you ever resolve this issue?  Sysexpert gave the next advice I was going to give - which was to check the Event Logs remotely from another computer (view the server's event logs from ANOTHER computer with Admin Privileges for that server).

I would as well guess that a logon script was automatically logging you out - and I wonder if this could have been caused by a virus - or accidental GPO script.

You might even try STARTING the Telnet Service from another connected computer (again with Admin Privileges on the serveR) - and telnetting in.  Scripts should NOT apply to telnet sessions - however the only thing I can think you could do is delete any logon script you find (Search for *.bat and *.cmd ... i.e.  dir *.cmd /s  and dir *.bat /s   from the C:\windows  directory).