Can't Logon on to Machine since changing from Domain to Workgroup

tomED

HELP!

I can't logon to my machine since I changed it to a workgroup instead of a Domain. Windows XP by the way.

I don't have an option to logon to the pc or domain anymore.

Is there anyway round this?

If not what is my best way of getting everything from the drive.

All help appreciated!

Tom

Tivoli

oops totally mis read your post sorry, did you try safe mode

tomED

ha ha

Thanks for the reply mukki.

No I dont have the option to log on to the machine or the domain!!!! I thgouht I would have at least had that option when I was chaning over!!!

Yes - I tried safe mode and you have to log in there too!

MartMax

Surely you can get into your machine. Just use the same username and password. There'll you go.

Also, even though your are still on domain but have no network connection i.e cable disconnected, server offline you'd be able to log on as long as you have logged on with the same username/password before. Which means you already have your profile there.

Correct me if I am wrong but that's how Windows login system works (Win2K & XP). Would help too if your laptop is stolen and the thieves do not know your logon details.

Tivoli

sorry about my first post, i thought you said you changed it from a workgroup to a domain, big difference..

you can only logon the machine using the local accounts, you old domain username and password won't work cause they can't be validated, if you dont know any local usernames/ password, then download the cracker from ..(actually i don't have a link, if you can't find it i'll email you it tomorrow evening)

ColmOT [MSFT]

You should still be able to see the login screen with the users listed. If you can't see this, there is something else wrong with the machine.

A local user account (Administrator) will work, provided that you know the password of that account.

Domain credentials won't work. Even though they are cached when you are a member of the domain (so that you can log in without netowrk access), when you remove the machine from the domain, this cache is removed also.

If you get to the friendly logon screen, hit C-A-D twice, and it'll display the usual login screen asking for your username and password. At this screen, log in as Administrator.

tomED

Problem is..... I don't know the password

I found this... http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Do you think this will delete the users PST files etc if I use this? It's something about editing the SAM file. It says you may lose EFS files, but says nuthin about user settings or pst files and contacts etc.

Thanks all for the replies!

Tom

tomED

Originally posted by mart_max
Surely you can get into your machine. Just use the same username and password. There'll you go.

I thought so too man - but nope. Wont let me in.....

MartMax

have u tried administrator login?

SantaHoe

Yeah don't bother with the domain password, it's not even going to check with the domain controller if it's on workgroup.
If someone's been lazy installing the OS, then Administrator with a blank password sometimes works

tomED

I haven't got the admin password................:dunno:

hostyle

Who has the admin password? Why aren't you asking them for help?

tomED

No-one has it - it's gone!

I got it sorted now. I used the software mentioned above which allowed me to reset the password of the administrator.

Pretty nifty tool. Didn't lose any settings of other users either, only the one I changed!

WoOHoo!!

Thanks everyone.

Tom

Tivoli

well done, enjoy that disk but don't tell to many people about it, as not everyone should have admin access