Cannot change workgroup name or domain name

[Guest]

Hi,

Im logged in as a local administrator on a machine part of a workgroup and
find that Under the "computer name" tab in system properties, the option to
click the "change" button or "network id" is greyed out and therefore cant
change the workgroup name or add this machine to a domain.

I've tried creating a new user and giving them admin rights, but its still
greyed out. Im running xp pro /sp2.

I've never seen this before..

 

[Robert L [MS-MVP]]

quoted from http://www.ChicagoTech.net
Can't change Computer Name - Network ID tab is grayed out

1. If this is Domain Controller, you can't change the Computer Name by selecting Network ID and this is by design.
2. If this is member of the domain or workgroup computer, you don't have permission to change the Computer Name.


Don't send e-mail or reply to me except you need consulting services. Posting on MS newsgroup will benefit all readers and you may get more help.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
How to Setup Windows, Network, Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.
I recommend Brinkster for web hosting!


Seems I've got the same problem, I may have disabled something in the
past because I never thought I'd want to connect to a windows domain.
Now I need to and my i cannot switch to domain or change the workgroup
because they are greyed out.

On saying that somehow yesterday I changed my workgroup name but I
cannot remember how I did it. I'll post back if I find a solution.

 

[Guest]

Hello Everyone,

I've since found the problem to this issue,

its actually the "workstation" service. when this is stopped, it affects
your computers ability to communicate on the LAN.

description:
Creates and maintains client network connections to remote servers. If this
service is stopped, these connections will be unavailable. If this service is
disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Note: it is also dependant on other services as well, so make sure they are
up as well.

Rich

 

[aloksrivastava]

Im logged in as a local administrator on a machine part of a workgroup and
find that Under the "computer name" tab in system properties, the option to
click the "change" button or "network id" is greyed out and therefore cant
change the workgroup name or add this machine to a domain.

I've tried creating a new user and giving them admin rights, but its still
greyed out. Im running xp pro /sp2.

I've never seen this before..

 

[Stano21]

Rich thanks your answer, it works! Just one little addition for all users who came into this issue on how to fix it:

go to Start menu > Run services.msc and scroll down the list to Workstation service and change it to autostart.

Also if you have the same problem also with Computer Description greyed out, follow the procedure described @ tomshardware.co.uk/forum/87502-45-computer-description-greyed (shortly said - uninstall and install again the File and printer sharing for MS networks).

Good luck!

 

[rakuman]

Rich thanks your answer, it works! Just one little addition for all users who came into this issue on how to fix it:

go to Start menu > Run services.msc and scroll down the list to Workstation service and change it to autostart.

Also if you have the same problem also with Computer Description greyed out, follow the procedure described @ tomshardware.co.uk/forum/87502-45-computer-description-greyed (shortly said - uninstall and install again the File and printer sharing for MS networks).

Good luck!

Thanks for helping me to solve this problem.