Domain List Problem

[Polaris]

Hi:

I'm using Windows XP with SP2. I can join 2 domains suceessfully, but during
logon, I only see one domain in the Log On Domain list (plus my local
machine). I expected to see all (2) domains that I had logged into before,
plus my local machine. Why the domain list does not keep all the domain I
have joined ?

Any information is appriciated.

Thanks In Advance !
Polaris

 

[Joe Richards [MVP]]

You can only be joined to one domain at a time. The list will show you the local
machine, the domain you are in, and any domains trusted by the domain you are in.

 

[Polaris]

Thanks for your info. Yes, I can only join one domain at a time. But the
domain list at log on time should show all domains that I'm a member of and
have logged on once before... A Windows user could be a member of multiple
domains.

Polaris

 

[Dean Wells [MVP]]

As Joe said, you can only be joined to one domain at a time. To use
your own words, "you're" technically not a member of any domain in its
literal definition, the computer is. You may have a user account in a
domain but that's of relevance here. The drop down box is populated
only with the domain in which the computer you're sitting at is a member
and any subsequent domains it trusts either directly or transitively.
Technically, a user is also only a member of one domain, although an
account can be migrated or name-duplicated in another domain that does
NOT mean those domains will appear.

 

[Dean Wells [MVP]]

<correction>
You may have a user account in a domain but that's of little relevance
here.
</correction>

 

[Joe Richards [MVP]]

To add to what Dean said, in this sentence

But the
domain list at log on time should show all domains that I'm a member of and
have logged on once before...

it almost sounds like you have joined your machine to various domains and think
that those all should be listed. Once your computer joins a domain, it is no
longer joined to any other domain. I.E. You can't join the machine to domain1,
then domain2, then domain3 and expect all of the domains to be in the list -
UNLESS all of the domains are connected via trusts say they are all in one forest.

A easier to understand example may be this. Your machine is a member of the
domain you have at work. You then join it to a domain you have at home. At that
point, the machine is no longer a member of the work domain, it is a member of
the home domain and will only show home resources. If you go back to work and
rejoin it to work, it will no longer no anything about your home environment.

 

[Polaris]

Thanks guys! The domains I mentioned are not in the same forest. THanks for
your time to help.

Polaris

 

[Joe Rookie]

Thanks for your info. Yes, I can only join one domain at a time. But the
domain list at log on time should show all domains that I'm a member of and
have logged on once before... A Windows user could be a member of multiple
domains.

No ... The domain list is exactly what Joe said it is ... The local PC, the
domain the computer is currently a member of, and any domains that are
trusted by the domain the computer is currently a member of ... It has
nothing to do with what user(s) are members of what domains ... And,
technically, a user can't be a member of multiple domains, either ... He/She
can be a member of one domain, have access to others, and even have an
identical username and password in another domain ... But a user, just like
a computer, is only a member of one domain ...

 

[Joe Rookie]

FYI, it doesn't matter whether or not the domains are in different forests
as to whether they show up or not ... It has to do with whether the domain
is trusted or not ...

 

[Al Dunbar [MS-MVP]]

Already answered, but here is another way to look at the issue of *your*
membership in a domain...

Thanks for your info. Yes, I can only join one domain at a time. But the
domain list at log on time should show all domains that I'm a member of

How could this be? Until you actually logon, the system can have absolutely
*NO* idea of who you are and where you might happen to have domain accounts.

/Al