Help: lost profile and settings

[R McDld]

I have a multi domain and workgroup working environment
with my XP Pro laptop where I need to log onto several
domains and a workgroup. My original domain was on a SBS
2003 server and all was good. However, am I away to a
branch office and have tried to log onto the domain there
(Win2000 Server) (which I have a user account on also but
under a different computer name, user name and domain
name). Attempting to change my computer name and Domain,
I lost all my connectivity to the original domain and
also lost my desktop settings and all the user profile
information such as application licenses and
customizations. When I tried to copy those settings from
the original domain profile, it now shows it as an
unknown domain (in the user profiles d-box)and will not
allow me to copy it to a new profile. Moreover, I cannot
rejoin the original domain to retrieve my original
profile settings (I am away from the physical site for
some months but had a working VPN connection before all
this happened). It's as though, when I tried to logon to
a different domain (or even just the alternate user (on
this computer) all my settings, connections and workspace
self destructed...within 5 seconds. Someone in MS seems
to be part of the Mission Impossible team with this kind
of diabolical arrangement. So my question is, how can I
get back to where I was, connected to my original domain
via VPN and thereby (hopefully) retrieve my original
desktop and settings? And how can I prevent this from
happening when I try to gain access to my branch office
network? Any help will be very much appretiated.
Rgds,
RMcDld

 

[James \(MCP\)]

You can only ever be a member of one domain or AD. You
can (as the system administrator) set up a trust
relationship between two or more domains, and therefore
your domain or AD membership never changes, regardless of
your phyisical location, but you are able to log on in
the satellite office.

To Regain your old settings you need to do the following
steps:

1. Remove the computer account from the new (win2000)
domain using the Network ID wizard.

2. Log in as the computer administrator and rename any
profile folders that correspond to your username in
Documents and Settings. (This ensures you get a fresh
copy of your profile from the server and don't overwrite
your only good copy)

3. Connect to the original domain using the Network ID
wizard. (Restart as requested)

4. Log on to the original domain using your original
username and password. (This will pull your old profile
down from the network and your setting should return)

Hope this helps.

James

 

[R McDld]

Thanks James,

I will try this but it might be a while since I am now a
a branch office for the next few months. I have tried
connecting to the main (original) domain via VPN but it
doesn't recognize me even with the fresh profile and
original login. I guess I have to be on site to get in
the first time.
Rgds,
RMD