Log on to a specific domain

[Guest]

I use my work laptop at home. In an effort to have wireless use of my home
printer I changed the domain name from my work domain to MSHome. I have not
been able to log on to my laptop since I rebooted. The log on screen does not
have a domain line available so I have tried every user name and password I
have used on the computer, to no avail. How do I log on to my laptop so I can
fix this? I should mention my laptop has a fingerprint scanner, in case this
is relevant.

 

[Guest]

If it was a domain-member, chances are it was administered by your firm's IT
department. Speak to them.

The reason you're in this situation is that previously you were using a
'cached' domain-logon even when at home. Since you took the computer out of
the domain that option no longer exists, and you must now logon with a local
account.

Basically, to regain access you need to know the name and password of a
local user. The IT people should be able to tell you (though they may not be
prepared to release the password if it's the same on all computers, they may
insist on typing it for you.)

 

[Guest]

I thought that I was creating a local user when I changed to the MSHome
domain but that was, apparently, in error. I was hoping that there was a
command prompt that I could use to force it to one domain or the other. At
worst I will wait until the IT rep at our site comes back. Thanks for the
advice, though.

 

[Guest]

No. The domain usernames are stored on the fileserver. MSHome is a
workgroup, and this relies on user-accounts on the machine itself as opposed
to a server. Changing to a workgroup doesn't create a workgroup-user, that
user must already exist.

I'd never thought about it that way before, but perhaps it should warn you
of the risk of locking yourself out when you leave a domain.

 

[Guest]

Just to give you an update. Our IT guy came back yesterday and, you were
right, he had me back up in less than 5 minutes. Thanks for your insight. It
is appreciated.