Missing Domain Drop Down Box (DISASTER!!!)

[zymo]

I went into Control Panel/System to view my domain, to see if I can set up a
network with another computer (both names have to match) (This is a work
laptop) I hit another button, I think said create a network. I saw the word
WORKGROUP, and a check mark next to it. Thinking that that was the name of
the network and it was already set up, I hit ok, It took a few seconds and
then said I had to reboot. When I did, It now doesn't let me back into
Windows. It doesn't show a domain in the drop down. In other words it doesn't
even have the name of the computer as one of the options, or my work domain.
I can't get to Safe Mode.
I need a way to get the data off the hard drive, before I send it back,
because all they will do is probably reimage it.

Help.

Thanks

 

[John Wunderlich]

I went into Control Panel/System to view my domain, to see if I
can set up a network with another computer (both names have to
match) (This is a work laptop) I hit another button, I think said
create a network. I saw the word WORKGROUP, and a check mark next
to it. Thinking that that was the name of the network and it was
already set up, I hit ok, It took a few seconds and then said I
had to reboot. When I did, It now doesn't let me back into
Windows. It doesn't show a domain in the drop down. In other words
it doesn't even have the name of the computer as one of the
options, or my work domain. I can't get to Safe Mode.
I need a way to get the data off the hard drive, before I send it
back, because all they will do is probably reimage it.

The easiest way is to boot from a CD like Bart PE or Ultimate Boot CD
for Windows then back up your data to a USB drive or over the network.

BartPE:
<http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/>
UBCD4Win:
<http://www.ubcd4win.com/>

The problem with the above is that you need to spend some time to build
the disk. Alternatively, you can boot from a Live Linux CD like
Knoppix and do the same. It comes as a pre-built .iso file ready to
burn:

Knoppix:
<http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html>

Alternatively, you might try the following from the Microsoft Knowledge
Base Article:

"You cannot log on after you remove the computer from the domain"
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317049>

HTH,
John

 

[JimC]

You should still be able to login - if the domain is unavailable, as it will
be - the local profile will be used to log you in to the PC. Just using your
previous username and password that you used for the laptop - not the
domain, should work.... or any account that was previously setup on the
laptop.

Why are you unable to access safe-mode?
Cheers,
Jim

 

[John Wunderlich]

You should still be able to login - if the domain is unavailable,
as it will be - the local profile will be used to log you in to
the PC. Just using your previous username and password that you
used for the laptop - not the domain, should work.... or any
account that was previously setup on the laptop.

If he truely removed the computer from the domain, then all the cached
domain credentials were wiped/invalidated as well. Without re-joining
the computer to the domain, his only option is a local logon.

-- John