Hello,

I have an account that has a business partner visiting from China. His
computer is running Vista Business (Chinese version). While visiting,
he wanted to access the local file server. He changed network setting
from his domain to the local workgroup. After reboot, he couldn't log
in. My assumption is his computer was never setup with a local
account and the administrator is turned off.

How can I get him back in to his computer? I've tried last known
configuration (I knew it wouldn't work), and safe mode (no
administrator).
When the log on screen comes up, hitting ctl+alt+del does not allow
one to change the user name. This is how I determined the admin and
local user setup had not been turned on and established.

What are my options?

Regards,

Buck

On Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:43:06 -0800, Malke
wrote:

Buck Rogers wrote:

Hello,

I have an account that has a business partner visiting from China. His
computer is running Vista Business (Chinese version). While visiting,
he wanted to access the local file server. He changed network setting
from his domain to the local workgroup. After reboot, he couldn't log
in. My assumption is his computer was never setup with a local
account and the administrator is turned off.

How can I get him back in to his computer? I've tried last known
configuration (I knew it wouldn't work), and safe mode (no
administrator).
When the log on screen comes up, hitting ctl+alt+del does not allow
one to change the user name. This is how I determined the admin and
local user setup had not been turned on and established.

Yes, this is a common mistake people make with their domain-member laptops.
In most Vista installs the built-in Administrator - and this would be the
*local* Administrator - is disabled by default. I have had success using
NTpasswd to enable Vista's built-in Administrator and use a blank password
for it. Then once in, create a Standard local user account for him for now.

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Of course, when he gets home he'll need to bring his laptop to his IT Dept.
to get it rejoined to the domain. His IT Dept. can remove the Standard
local user account and fix the local Administrator account as they wish.

Malke

Malke,

Thanks for the info. I'll download NT password. How do I use the
program to enable the built-in administrator? Does the program expain
how?

Regards,

Buck

Buck Rogers wrote:

Hello,

I have an account that has a business partner visiting from China. His
computer is running Vista Business (Chinese version). While visiting,
he wanted to access the local file server. He changed network setting
from his domain to the local workgroup. After reboot, he couldn't log
in. My assumption is his computer was never setup with a local
account and the administrator is turned off.

How can I get him back in to his computer? I've tried last known
configuration (I knew it wouldn't work), and safe mode (no
administrator).
When the log on screen comes up, hitting ctl+alt+del does not allow
one to change the user name. This is how I determined the admin and
local user setup had not been turned on and established.

Yes, this is a common mistake people make with their domain-member laptops.
In most Vista installs the built-in Administrator - and this would be the
*local* Administrator - is disabled by default. I have had success using
NTpasswd to enable Vista's built-in Administrator and use a blank password
for it. Then once in, create a Standard local user account for him for now.

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Of course, when he gets home he'll need to bring his laptop to his IT Dept.
to get it rejoined to the domain. His IT Dept. can remove the Standard
local user account and fix the local Administrator account as they wish.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Buck Rogers wrote:


Thanks for the info. I'll download NT password. How do I use the
program to enable the built-in administrator? Does the program expain
how?

There are plenty of instructions on the webpage and if you take your time
and read carefully when running the program I think it's quite clear what
to do.

You should download the CD image (.iso) and burn it to CD using third-party
burning software. Burn as an image, not as data, and then boot with the
disk you make.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

On Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:17:22 -0800, Malke
wrote:

Buck Rogers wrote:


Thanks for the info. I'll download NT password. How do I use the
program to enable the built-in administrator? Does the program expain
how?

There are plenty of instructions on the webpage and if you take your time
and read carefully when running the program I think it's quite clear what
to do.

You should download the CD image (.iso) and burn it to CD using third-party
burning software. Burn as an image, not as data, and then boot with the
disk you make.

Malke

Thank you for the help, Malke. Ran the program andthe computer can
now be accessed.......I've configured it to do what he needs it to do
(email, internet, access to the local fileserver, printer) and have
given him directions on how to re-join the domain and capture his old
user settings when he returns to China.

It was rather interesting working on a computer with a language that
is different than mine. Most of the icons are the same, so that
helped tremendously.

Thanks Again,

Buck

Buck Rogers wrote:

Thank you for the help, Malke. Ran the program andthe computer can
now be accessed.......I've configured it to do what he needs it to do
(email, internet, access to the local fileserver, printer) and have
given him directions on how to re-join the domain and capture his old
user settings when he returns to China.

It was rather interesting working on a computer with a language that
is different than mine. Most of the icons are the same, so that
helped tremendously.

I'm so glad that sorted it for you. Thank you very much for taking the time
to let me know.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

On Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:17:22 -0800, Malke
wrote:

Buck Rogers wrote:


Thanks for the info. I'll download NT password. How do I use the
program to enable the built-in administrator? Does the program expain
how?

There are plenty of instructions on the webpage and if you take your time
and read carefully when running the program I think it's quite clear what
to do.

You should download the CD image (.iso) and burn it to CD using third-party
burning software. Burn as an image, not as data, and then boot with the
disk you make.

Malke


Malke,

Now that I've gotten in the computer, would a system restore to a time
prior to him changing domains work? My first thought is no, therefore
I'm hesitant to try prior to some input from one more expert than me.

Regards,

Buck

Buck Rogers wrote:

Now that I've gotten in the computer, would a system restore to a time
prior to him changing domains work? My first thought is no, therefore
I'm hesitant to try prior to some input from one more expert than me.

No, leave it alone. It's working now and doing what your friend needs. No
matter what, he'll have to go to his IT Dept. and have them rejoin the
machine to the domain so you might as well leave well enough alone for now.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ