Server network settings

[richnrockville]

Thanks again. I followed your instructions but my computer acts a little differently. I can go My Computer/Local Users and Groups/Users - this brings up a number of user accounts including the one I have just set up. It does not bring up the accounts connected to the domain/network. I guess this means that we do have local log in accounts?

Yes, I am still undecided but would prefer not to have to do a Clean Install. If we go ahead and downgrade my questions are:

a) Will I retain the current software and programs?
b) Do I need to back up my data files

Thanks again for all of your time,
Gary

Definitely, YOU MUST BACKUP your data. Before you change too much.

You can never have too many backups.

Rich

 

[2xg]

This is correct:
I can go My Computer/Local Users and Groups/Users - this brings up a number of user accounts including the one I have just set up.

Thanks richnrockville, highly agree. Gary, you should be doing this anyway regardless.

Before you downgrade, lets create a folder in the Local C Drive, if there's another partition, you may create a folder over there too, name the Folder 'Gary' (your name). Move all the docs/files that you have. Log off, then log on as the local Admin User that you have created. Now, access the Gary folder and open up Excel or Word files, are you able to open them up with full permission and not Read Access only?

Please give us another update, will you?

 

[Gazza13]

OK, all done. I have set up a folder named Gary on C: drive and copied all my data to it. I have also copied it to an external drive. I have logged on as local user and have access to files with full permission. Ready for next step.
Cheers
~Gary

 

[2xg]

Removing your computer from Domain is the next task. No. 4, you may try to hit Cancel, there's no need to type the Admin Credentials, restart the computer after then logon as local Admin that you have created.
How to Remove a Computer From an XP Domain | eHow.com

Note: verify that you have transferred all your vital docs/files to the folder that you have created. You won't be able to access the files anymore from the User that's part of the Domain after the downgrade.

 

[Gazza13]

Fantastic! I've done that and everything seems to be working fine now except one small glitch. When I log on or log off it tries to synchronise to the old network and brings up an error message "unable to connect to \\DFNServer\Users. The specified network is no longer available" Any suggestions?
Cheers
~Gary

 

[2xg]

That's great news. To remove offline files syncronization please see this Article, locate how to change or remove an existing synchronization schedule.

 

[Gazza13]

Just when I thought we were getting somewhere!
I was attempting to open a word file and the computer froze up. I could not activate the task manager (alt,ctrl,del) so had to turn off power. Now it freezes at login and I cannot enter the log on password I can start it is safe mode.
I found an article on removing an existing synchronization schedule but do not know how to open the Synchronization Manager. Can you help?

 

[Gazza13]

I've worked out how to open the Synchronization Manager but it doesn't bring up any network connections in the safe mode I am using. Is there another way?

 

[2xg]

I think that at this point, you might want to consider a Clean install. The computer that does not originally belonged to you and inhereted can cause issues as what you're encountering now.
I have inhereted computers as well but I'd always format the HDD then do a Clean install. Of course I have to have the Discs that came with it.

 

[Gazza13]

Sounds like you're probably right. Thank you most sincerely for all of your help, it is very much appreciated.
Cheers
~Gary

 

[2xg]

You're quite Welcome Gary.

 

[Gazza13]

Hi, back again!
I have carried out a clean install but now find that when Windows asks me to Activate it it does not provide a number that I am required to key in (telephone activation). I have spoken to Microsoft Technical Support who have confirmed that the XP disc and product key are compatible but they say they can't help me unless I pay for technical support as they no longer support XP. I object to this on principal. I suspect that the problem may be to do with drivers as I did not respond to the F6 request to down load drivers during the installation (hard drive is SATO). Is there any hope of resolving this or should I just throw the computer out and never buy Microsoft products again?
Cheers
~Gary

 

[2xg]

No worries...I'll see if there's someone that can assist us.

Hi, back again!
I have carried out a clean install but now find that when Windows asks me to Activate it it does not provide a number that I am required to key in (telephone activation). I have spoken to Microsoft Technical Support who have confirmed that the XP disc and product key are compatible but they say they can't help me unless I pay for technical support as they no longer support XP. I object to this on principal. I suspect that the problem may be to do with drivers as I did not respond to the F6 request to down load drivers during the installation (hard drive is SATO). Is there any hope of resolving this or should I just throw the computer out and never buy Microsoft products again?
Cheers
~Gary

 

[gregrocker]

This wouldn't pertain to drivers if XP already installed but won't now activate.

Did MS Tech Support confirm you used the correct installer? With XP (unlike Vista and Win7) the retail and factory/builder's OEM versions are separated out and use different installers, and will not activate if the wrong one is used.

As this OS was previously used with a server is there any chance it is Enterprise version, as it uses a Volume License Key which is activated by a System Administrator? MS should have already pointed this out. But I dont' see anywhere in the thread the XP version and whether it is retail or OEM.

I am not as experienced with XP activation as Win7 however normally a key which won't work is checked for validity by MS Customer Service, which then opens a Tech Support Case that will get it activated one way or another. Is this where you hit some new XP pay wall?

If none of this is germane then we'll have to ask for more help from those better versed in XP which is nearly an XPired OS now.

 

[Gazza13]

The cd I used is Windows XP Professional (includes Service Pack 2 - Version 2002).
Th MS guy checked the number printed around the centre of the disc (shinny side) and the Widows ID number from the sticker on the side of my computer and said they were correct - who knows?
Thanks for your help, all suggestions welcome.

 

[gregrocker]

Is it using a VLK?

 

[Gazza13]

Sorry, what's a VLK and how do I find out if it's using one?

 

[gregrocker]

Volume Licensing Key often used for Servers in an organizational setting.

 

[2xg]

Thanks gregrocker for chiming in.

 

[Gazza13]

I have no idea, maybe. I have spoken with our current IT people at work (where the computer came from) but this computer was installed by another IT company before they took over managing the network. They were not able to shed any light on the problem.