Cannot access My Documents on XP machine in a domain

[rayT]

I am working with a machine running XP Pro in a Server 2003 domain. A
previous technician changed the computer name and switched it to a workgroup.
Now the computer shows up in the network twice. I tried to change the
computer name back to its original but got error message " an account for
this computer already exists". Did a System Restore and got original desktop
back but when I tried to access My Documents got error msg " the file
\\server1\users\accounting which contains My Documents is unavailable, you
may not have permission chk with system admin" . I can ping the server by IP
addr and server name and can ping the machine from the server in the same
manner. How can I solve this issue? Also the Outlook on this machine does
not function. Office 2003 was upgraded to 2007 prior to the restore, so re
installing 07 may fix this issue. The unit can connect to the internet and is
mapped to the network printer.

 

[Anteaus]

You've opened a can of worms here.

It sounds like the computer was originally a domain-member, and also had
various folders redirected to server shares.

Firstly, if you extract a computer form a domain and/or logon with a local
account, you see a different user-profile. Look under Documents and Settings,
and you will see what I mean. (Typing 'set' at a commandprompt will tell you
which profile is currently in-use)

As for the redirected folders, you need to be authenticated to the server
for these to be accessible. In fact it is not essential to be a domainmember
for this to work, but on a non-domain computer you will need to establish the
connection manually.

Hope this helps. Active Directory Domains are not a subject to grasp fully
from a brief reply. Metaphorically, if you want to engage in rocket science,
you need a rocket scientist. Employing a non-rocket scientist will most
likely just result in a spectacular explosion.