This article applies to Domain Time II.

Last Updated: 4 November 2010

Problem

You receive an 'Error 6: The handle is invalid' message when installing or configuring Domain Time on Windows XP/2003 (or when using the Domain Time II Manager's Test Connection function).

Details

You may also see one or more of the following messages when attempting to access the HKLM\SOFTWARE key in the Windows Registry via Remote Registry connections:
• Cannot open HKEY_Local_Machine: error while opening key

• Access is denied

Background

The error indicates insufficient permissions to access the registry for remote control operations using Remote Registry. The problem can often occur on machines that were upgraded to XP/2003 from Windows 2000.

In Windows XP, the Remote Registry Service is logged on as the Local Service user. However, By default, Windows 2000 does not have a built-in user account named Local Service. Instead, the Remote Registry Service is logged on as Local System.

Upgraded machines can persist with registry permissions granted to the older user account, preventing remote access.

Solution

On affected machines, ensure the Local Service account has Read permissions to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurePipeServers\winreg registry subkey.

Please see KB 892182 from Microsoft's Knowledgebase for more information.