Win 2000 problem

[SteveFFC]

I've Win 2000 Laptop, which does seem to accepts passwords. Was OK and changed Network config to allow my LAN to see the Laptop. Rebooted and it will not accept passwords. There's about 700 photos to be recovered, Can anyone offer help as to any tools that can help get into the Laptop.

This is a legitimate request.

 

[Davetoo]

What did you change?

I'm Certifiable, not certified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[bboffin]

Do you know the password for Administrator on the local machine (i.e. the laptop) or for any local user?

If so use these and make sure that the domain is set to the local machine.

If the machine is member of a domain make sure that this domain name is specified when entering the username and password.

 

[wolluf]

Just adding to bboffin's advice - did you add or remove the laptop from a domain when you 'changed Network config to allow my LAN to see the Laptop'?

If you left a domain, you'll need a local logon (domain ones now not valid). If you joined a domain, local logons still work, but only if local machine name is selected from drop down domain box. If domain is selected, you'll need a domain account.

 

[SteveFFC]

Thanks for the replies. The lap top was configured to be in a Domain, which was no longer required. I change the setup to be part of a Workgroup. Did nothing to user Accounts. When the Netlogin prompt appears it does not give an option to enter a Domain name.

 

[Davetoo]

Ok, ,since you pulled the system out of the domain, you have to use a local logon account to access the system now. You were probably using a domain account before which you now can't use (as you've discovered).

I'm Certifiable, not certified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[SteveFFC]

Thanks for your help, but have now sorted the problem. I've installed XP on Drive D:, which fortunately was available and big enough, which gave me access to the files I needed. Have now backed up everything I need and can rebuild the system.

 

[sheit]

I did the same error on a Win2000 PC, took it out of the domain while renaming the computer. Is there a way to put it back into the domain without knowing workgroup administrator password? Would appreciate help? I can log into the PC as a local user but not as administrator so can't change anything. Following along with lander215 Thanks,

 

[wolluf]

There's no such thing as 'workgroup administrator password' - just a local administrator password. You can rejoin the domain by specifying a domain account (username/password) which has permissions to do this task (typically a domain adminstrator - but may be specific users set up on your network for this). If you've no idea about any of this, ask your support people to do it for you.

 

[sheit]

It is the administrator of the local machine that I don't have a password for. I can log on to the local machine as myself with my password (Same as domain password). Since I don't know what the password is for the local machine administrator, and I don't have administrative rights, I can't change anything. The PC was taken out of the domain and put into Workgroup and there is an option to go back to the domain. I am not expressing problem well enough..new to IT department!!!

 

[wolluf]

Then you need to contact your support people. They can put your machine back in the domain. As I mentioned - you need domain account credentials with access level to do this - so local administrator account no good on its own (it will let you start the process - but not finish it - you have to supply the domain account details for that). So you need someone who has that information/access level.