Local User Profile Permissions Changed During Imaging

Hello,

We are initiating the imaging process using the latest available Snap Deploy 3 bootable media downloaded from the support website. The host operating system on these PCs is Windows XP SP3 w/all available updates.

Our master image for numerous makes/models of PCs includes a generic local user account for configuration after imaging. The account is a member of the local "Power Users" group and has customizations limited to desktop & Start Menu shortcuts as well as applications in the startup folder.

Once the client PC has been imaged and rebooted, something happens to the profile of this local account that affects its permissions to run applications. For example, when IE opens after login to a .PDF file hosted on our intranet, an error message appears stating that "Your current security settings do not allow this file to be downloaded" then IE closes automatically. If I attempt to open any of the applications in the start menu, an error message appears stating that "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item." I can access the Control Panel but am unable to open most items in it save for "Printers and Faxes", "Network Connections", and "Folder Options."

Strangely, if I (while logged in to an Administrator account) remove this account from "Power Users" and add it to the (local) "Administrators" group then problem goes away completely. In addition, if I create a different local user account (post-imaging) with the same permissions, there is no issue.

If anyone has experienced this issue or has some recommendations for troubleshooting, I'm all ears. Thanks in advance.