PC thinks it's in a domain and not a workgroup

[Guest]

I have a PC running XP pro with all updates. It is in a small workgroup of
two PC's. It has developed a fault whereby it thinks it's in a Domain (with
the same name as the PC) rather than a workgoup. I have tried creating a new
workgroup and creating a new PC name. Each time it still thinks it's in a
domain with the same name as the PC. The PC can only be booted up in Safe
Mode.
Does anyone have any ideas how to correct this fault without resorting to a
complete Windows reload?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a PC running XP pro with all updates. It is in a small workgroup of
two PC's. It has developed a fault whereby it thinks it's in a Domain (with
the same name as the PC) rather than a workgoup. I have tried creating a new
workgroup and creating a new PC name. Each time it still thinks it's in a
domain with the same name as the PC. The PC can only be booted up in Safe
Mode.
Does anyone have any ideas how to correct this fault without resorting to a
complete Windows reload?

Please reply to this message in the news group (not by E-mail) with
more information to help other people understand the problem:

What indicates to you that the computer thinks it's in a domain? What
exactly do you see that tells you that?

Why can the PC only be booted up in Safe mode? What exactly happens
if you try to boot it in normal mode?

Giving full details of the problem will help other people help you.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your interest.

When I try to boot up the PC, as an administrator, it gets to a screen which
asks for my password (which was always null and I never needed to enter a
password in the past). I do not enter a password and click on the continue
button. The unit then returns a message stating "cannot log on as domain
'PCname' is not available". I cannot get past this startup screen in normal
boot up mode. The only way into the PC is through Safe Mode boot up.
I have checked the settings for the PC and it is definitely configured as a
member of a workgroup and not a domain.
Another strange aspect of this problem is that the log on message always
says that the domain name is the name which I have allocated to the PC. I
have tried changing the PC name and the message follows suit.
I trust this is sufficient information for you. If there is anything
specific you need to know then please let me know.
Again, thank you for responding.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Thanks for your interest.

When I try to boot up the PC, as an administrator, it gets to a screen which
asks for my password (which was always null and I never needed to enter a
password in the past). I do not enter a password and click on the continue
button. The unit then returns a message stating "cannot log on as domain
'PCname' is not available". I cannot get past this startup screen in normal
boot up mode. The only way into the PC is through Safe Mode boot up.
I have checked the settings for the PC and it is definitely configured as a
member of a workgroup and not a domain.
Another strange aspect of this problem is that the log on message always
says that the domain name is the name which I have allocated to the PC. I
have tried changing the PC name and the message follows suit.
I trust this is sufficient information for you. If there is anything
specific you need to know then please let me know.
Again, thank you for responding.

You're welcome, George. I'm sorry, but I don't know the solution.
The details that you gave should help someone else solve it.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Steve,
Apologies for delay in responding but my ISP has been having problems lately.
Regrettably, nobody else has responded to my question to date.
Thanks for writing
Regards,
George