converting from domain to workgroup

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cliff Hartle
  • Start date Start date
C

Cliff Hartle

I have a situation where we are eliminating the only domain server in our
small (5 computers) network. I we moving to have xp pro box with a some
shared directories as our "server".

The situation is what will happen to the domain profiles when the server
disappears. Everone will then just login to their computer. How can you
copy the domain profile to the machine so everything will look the same?

thanks
 
BEFORE you down the domain, create the local user accounts, log on once as
the local user - then log in as a domain admin (other than the user whose
profile you want to copy). Right-click My Computer, select "properties",
"Advanced" Tab. Under User Profiles, click the "Settings" button. Select the
domain profile and click "Copy to". Browse to \documents and settings\ and
select the folder named afetr the new user you just created. Select that
folder and OK. Before you log back out, add the user to the local
administrator's group. Log out and log back in as the new user. You should
pretty much everything just as it was.

CAUTION: Back up the original profile including "My Documents", etc. before
yo do this!!

....kurt
 
We have no use for a server, at one time we had plans for an exchange server
and other internet based applications. About 4 years ago we were split off
of a larger e-business and inhibited this 5 year old server.

It needs replaced and with no real need for a real win 2000 server so we are
going to move to a workgroup environment.

Again we only have 5 total users.
 
altecsole makes a good point. Even with only 5 computers, being able to
manage user accounts (which means access to files, printers, etc.), group
policy, control access, change a password if an employee leaves the
company.....on and on.... ----for all 5 computers and all users with one
stop at the DC is a big thing to give up. Even if your (bought and paid for)
server OS does nothing more than provide you with central management it's
worth it (in my view). I have an AMD K6 333 running as a DC for my 5 home
computers/users, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I'd think twice
before going back to visiting every computer one at a time to make every
change that you now only have to do only once.

....kurt
 
You're right. The other big advantage is as a central store for files.
If eveyone stores their files on the server it make backup so much
easier. It doesn't really matter how old the server is; an NT4 machine
would still work fine. To my mind you would not gain anything by
ditching your server, but would lose so many options. Why not leave it
on your network, even if it's just a central database of users and for
file and print sharing? If users really don't want to logon to your
server (why?) they can always log on locally.
 
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