Desmond said:
A computer name, locally or remotely, cannot simply be changed while the
machine is still part of a Windows domain. It must be unjoined (to a
workgroup) before this is supported.
Hi
This is not correct, you can rename the computer without unjoining it first.
If you have access to a Windows 2003 Server CD, get the netdom.exe that is in
the "Support Tools" install, and take a look at the RENAMECOMPUTER parameter.
Netdom.exe from this kit can be used for Win2k, WinXP as well as Win2k3.
It also looks like the netdom.exe that comes with the updated WinXP SP2
version of support tools have this setting included now.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=49ae8576-9bb9-4126-9761-ba8011fabf38
C:\>C:\Win2k3SupportTools\Netdom.exe HELP RENAMECOMPUTER
The syntax of this command is:
NETDOM RENAMECOMPUTER machine /NewName:new-name
/UserD:user [/PasswordD:[password | *]]
[/UserO:user [/PasswordO:[password | *]]]
[/Force]
[/REBoot[:Time in seconds]]
NETDOM RENAMECOMPUTER renames a computer that is joined to a domain. The
computer object in the domain is also renamed. Certain services, such as the
Certificate Authority, rely on a fixed machine name. If any services of this
type are running on the target computer, then a computer name change would
have an adverse impact. This command should not be used to rename a domain
controller.
(snip)
With VBScript, you can also use the Rename method in WMI class
Win32_ComputerSystem (not remotely though)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/wmisdk/wmi/rename_method_in_class_win32_computersystem.asp