Joined Workgroup, tossed out of windows altogether

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Guest

Brace yourself for a tale of folly, ignorance, and the ultimate lock out.

Got a computer from an old job (100% legit I might add) that was set as part
of a domain. 1 year after leaving said job I decide to finally get around to
setting up my home wireless network, and also start employing some degree of
wireless security. I use the "network wizard" on a separate computer (Lets
say computer A), all goes well. I then turn turn my old work computer(call
it computer B), and figure it should be in the same workgroup as A (although
I don't know what this means in term of performance/sharing, it seemed like a
good idea AT THE TIME!

Those of you in the know can see this one comming a mile away...

I take computer B, change the name, and then make the changes to turn from
the old domain, to my newly created workgroup (ooh won't this be great I tell
my wife). Sure windows asks me for my password, but since I had
administrative privliges for the computer I fire that in. Prompt for
re-start, no problem...let's start networking I say...

....

....

Now I'm locked out of windows. Wife has hard time controlling the urge to
giggle (successful) and to say "told you so.." (unsuccessful).

Reading through previous posts, I think my options are limited to
reformatting HD. Since previous job was in Durham NC, I'm now in Lebanon NH,
I don't have access to physically connecting my machine to the old network,
nor did I ever have domain admin privalages. 2 requirements I can't meet.

I'm fine with reformating the thing , but want to make sure there is no way
to get my mp3's off of the disk first. I'm guessing there is not, since I
can't even get past the windows log in box.

Any thoughts???

the idiot
 
village said:
Brace yourself for a tale of folly, ignorance, and the ultimate lock out.

Got a computer from an old job (100% legit I might add) that was set as part
of a domain. 1 year after leaving said job I decide to finally get around to
setting up my home wireless network, and also start employing some degree of
wireless security. I use the "network wizard" on a separate computer (Lets
say computer A), all goes well. I then turn turn my old work computer(call
it computer B), and figure it should be in the same workgroup as A (although
I don't know what this means in term of performance/sharing, it seemed like a
good idea AT THE TIME!

Those of you in the know can see this one comming a mile away...

I take computer B, change the name, and then make the changes to turn from
the old domain, to my newly created workgroup (ooh won't this be great I tell
my wife). Sure windows asks me for my password, but since I had
administrative privliges for the computer I fire that in. Prompt for
re-start, no problem...let's start networking I say...

...

...

Now I'm locked out of windows. Wife has hard time controlling the urge to
giggle (successful) and to say "told you so.." (unsuccessful).

Reading through previous posts, I think my options are limited to
reformatting HD. Since previous job was in Durham NC, I'm now in Lebanon NH,
I don't have access to physically connecting my machine to the old network,
nor did I ever have domain admin privalages. 2 requirements I can't meet.

I'm fine with reformating the thing , but want to make sure there is no way
to get my mp3's off of the disk first. I'm guessing there is not, since I
can't even get past the windows log in box.

Any thoughts???

the idiot
Click to expand...


By changing the computer from the domain to a workgroup, you have
destroyed the trust between the domain and the machine. In doing so,
you have also rendered any domain login credentials as invalid.

Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which
cannot be deleted) and modify the desired account. For WinXP Pro,
pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the
Welcome Screen will produce the standard login dialog box. Then just
copy the data from your old domain account's user profile to your newly
created user account.


HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
I would be tempted to remove the hard drive from computer B and set it as a
slave in computer A.. then copy the files across to primary drive in A..
re-install drive into computer B.. re-load software..

Go to the hard drive manufacturer website to get jumper details in slave
position or decipher from the label on the drive..

Install on the unused IDE connector cable that leads to your primary drive..
restart the computer to see if the drive shows up, and then look for your
mp3 files.. COPY them to your primary drive..

Remove and reset the drive jumper to how it was, and re-install into
computer B.. install the OS..

All being well, you are now ready to start the networking procedure.. send
your wife out shopping so that she can't laugh at you..

Good luck..
 
village said:
Brace yourself for a tale of folly, ignorance, and the ultimate lock
out.

Got a computer from an old job (100% legit I might add) that was set
as part of a domain. 1 year after leaving said job I decide to
finally get around to setting up my home wireless network, and also
start employing some degree of wireless security. I use the "network
wizard" on a separate computer (Lets say computer A), all goes well.
I then turn turn my old work computer(call it computer B), and figure
it should be in the same workgroup as A (although I don't know what
this means in term of performance/sharing, it seemed like a good idea
AT THE TIME!

Those of you in the know can see this one comming a mile away...

I take computer B, change the name, and then make the changes to turn
from the old domain, to my newly created workgroup (ooh won't this be
great I tell my wife). Sure windows asks me for my password, but
since I had administrative privliges for the computer I fire that in.
Prompt for re-start, no problem...let's start networking I say...

...

...

Now I'm locked out of windows. Wife has hard time controlling the
urge to giggle (successful) and to say "told you so.." (unsuccessful).

Reading through previous posts, I think my options are limited to
reformatting HD. Since previous job was in Durham NC, I'm now in
Lebanon NH, I don't have access to physically connecting my machine
to the old network, nor did I ever have domain admin privalages. 2
requirements I can't meet.

I'm fine with reformating the thing , but want to make sure there is
no way to get my mp3's off of the disk first. I'm guessing there is
not, since I can't even get past the windows log in box.
Click to expand...

Hack the administrator password on the laptop and log in as that..

How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321305

Log in using safe mode..
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222

Hack your password:
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html

Another Password Hack:
http://www.thomasmathiesen.com/itak/html/software.html
 
I had the same thing happen to me, but I was using NT 4.0 at the time.
There are quite a few methods to get access to your MP3 files.

1. If you unplug the Network cable, the system will revert back to the last
known trusted login. Now all you have to worry about is how your going to
get the files off, the system. Got CD-Rs?

2. Remove the HD, and relocate it to another system. Make sure the other
system has a compatible OS. I hope your computer is not a Laptop, it could
get very tricky removing and mount the HD.

2.1. Get a new HD install the OS on that, slave the old drive. Copy the
files you need from the old drive to the new and re-format.

Good Luck!

JW
 
Wow, tons of great advice. I gleefully spouted off to my wife how I would be
able to solve this latest hitch without delay...
You would think I'd learn huh?

The first sign that I was still in the weeds came when I couldn't even get
to the Welcome page when the computer boots up, instead I get a "Log on to
Windows" password box that pops up with my user name, and asks for a
password. When I type the password I've been using (the same one that let me
stumble into this quagmire) I get the "the system could not log you on..."
message. Just to throw salt in the wound, it advises "make sure your User
name and _domain_ are correct..." Domain...DOMAIN!!! jeez, at least give me
the option to select...oh its a cruel cruel world.

Undaunted, but at least silent to Mrs. Idiot from here on out, I went to
plans B through D.

I tried the double Ctrl+Alt+Del anyway but was unsuccessful.
I tried looging on in safe mode, but ran into the same login screen
The damn things' a laptop, so pulling the HD seems a bit complex (not that I
am ruling it out)

So far, no luck.

Slightly daunted,

the Idiot
 
village said:
Wow, tons of great advice. I gleefully spouted off to my wife how I
would be able to solve this latest hitch without delay...
You would think I'd learn huh?

The first sign that I was still in the weeds came when I couldn't
even get to the Welcome page when the computer boots up, instead I
get a "Log on to Windows" password box that pops up with my user
name, and asks for a password. When I type the password I've been
using (the same one that let me stumble into this quagmire) I get the
"the system could not log you on..." message. Just to throw salt in
the wound, it advises "make sure your User name and _domain_ are
correct..." Domain...DOMAIN!!! jeez, at least give me the option to
select...oh its a cruel cruel world.

Undaunted, but at least silent to Mrs. Idiot from here on out, I went
to plans B through D.

I tried the double Ctrl+Alt+Del anyway but was unsuccessful.
I tried looging on in safe mode, but ran into the same login screen
The damn things' a laptop, so pulling the HD seems a bit complex (not
that I am ruling it out)

So far, no luck.
Click to expand...

Repeating my advice:

Hack the administrator password on the laptop and log in as that..

How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321305

Hack your password:
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html

Another Password Hack:
http://www.thomasmathiesen.com/itak/html/software.html

You should start trying the username ADMINISTRATOR, not yours.
 
village said:
Wow, tons of great advice. I gleefully spouted off to my wife how I would be
able to solve this latest hitch without delay...
You would think I'd learn huh?

The first sign that I was still in the weeds came when I couldn't even get
to the Welcome page when the computer boots up, instead I get a "Log on to
Windows" password box that pops up with my user name, and asks for a
password. When I type the password I've been using (the same one that let me
stumble into this quagmire) I get the "the system could not log you on..."
message. Just to throw salt in the wound, it advises "make sure your User
name and _domain_ are correct..." Domain...DOMAIN!!! jeez, at least give me
the option to select...oh its a cruel cruel world.

Undaunted, but at least silent to Mrs. Idiot from here on out, I went to
plans B through D.

I tried the double Ctrl+Alt+Del anyway but was unsuccessful.
I tried looging on in safe mode, but ran into the same login screen
The damn things' a laptop, so pulling the HD seems a bit complex (not that I
am ruling it out)

So far, no luck.

Slightly daunted,

the Idiot
Click to expand...


Is there any particular reason that you didn't follw the above advice?
As I said, your old username and password are no good, now that you're
removed the machine from the domain. You *must* log in using the local
Administrator account to set things right.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
While ditzing around on my one remaining computer I figured tonight was the
night for bold measures (technically my problem from the get go, but I
digress). I figured I was only 1 day away from a whole HD reformat anyway
(cause I'm really chicken about pulling the laptop HD and jumping it) so I
might as well try some unkown code downloaded onto one computer, burned to a
CD, and booted to annother (the most labor intensive virus ever???)

NNNNOOOOO!!!!!!

The sweet smell of success requires some savoring!!!

Sing it from the roof-tops... Shenan Stanley Saves the Day (and 5 Gigs of
mp3's)

The "hack your password" CD worked flawlessly and has let me not only get
back on to the computer, burn my mp3's to CD (first things first), but has
also let me get back to the original point of the whole exercise and start
the home network a-flowin. On the down side I think I twisted my ankle
jumping up and down on the bed telling my wife what a computer genius she
married.

I am in your debt.

Thanks,

the Idiot.

(Downloaded Firefox while waiting...Pretty nifty too)

:

....
 
:
....

....


Is there any particular reason that you didn't follw the above advice?
As I said, your old username and password are no good, now that you're
removed the machine from the domain. You *must* log in using the local
Administrator account to set things right.
Click to expand...
....

Actually I tried this first. I could not log in as Admin, Administrator,
_blank_, A, the big A, or A-hole I was getting frustrated). While I had
administrative rights to the computer, I was not the Administrator of the
computer or network.

I did follow your lead after I gained access to the administrator acct and I
was able to copy my user profile to a 'new' acct.

To be honest, I'm thinking of junking all the old accounts and starting anew
(I'm sure it will be smoooooth sailing _Grin_

Thanks again everyone.

the Idiot
 
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