Re: Can I rename computers through AD?

From: Marin Marinov (mlmarinov_at_askme.ca)
Date: 06/07/04 

Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2004 17:51:59 -0400

In article <eQs1hFNTEHA.3512@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl>,
nospam@jimsaccount.com says...
> We have to rename all the computers on our network to comply with new
> company standards. Can I change the computer names through Active Directory
> or do I have to physically go to each machine and change the names?
>
> We are using Windows 2003 server as domain controller.
>
> Thanks,
> jim
>
Hi Jim,
You cannot rename computers from the AD consoles. What OSs do your
clients run? For WinXP you can use NETDOM which you can script to
iterate through a text file with the old name,new name of the machine:

HOW TO: Use the Netdom.exe Utility to Rename a Computer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298593&sd=tech

If you have Win2K, however, you cannot use netdom. Take a look at this
script that popped up in my Google search:
http://www.enterpriseitplanet.com/resources/scripts_win/article.php/3082
361

I haven't tested this so be sure to extensively test it should you
decide to use it.

HTH 

-- 
Cheers,
   Marin Marinov
   MCT, MCSE 2003/2000/NT4.0,
   MCSE:Security 2003/2000, MCP+I
-
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no 
rights.

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