Re: force xp domain member to drop from domain?

Even if there is no domain controller available, one can usually switch a computer from being a domain member to being a workgroup member. I've done this many times, including today to try to reproduce your situation, which I can't seem to do - the Domain name text box is always enabled (not greyed out).

How long has the old domain been shutdown - unavailable?

After you select the Workgroup radio button and key a Workgroup name, click OK.

Does the dialog box for credentials appear?

If so, just click OK without keying anything in any box, then click OK on the Computer Name Changes box. Does this work?

Unless there is a specific reason that prevents you from doing so, the simplest thing to do may be to simply re-install Windows XP or re-image the workstation.
--
Bruce Sanderson
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders

It is perfectly useless to know the right answer to the wrong question.



"geekyguy" <geeky@xxxxxxx> wrote in message news:OxxY%23rbEJHA.4784@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Paul Bergson [MVP-DS]" <pbergson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:O82bgEbEJHA.768@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
You don't even need to remove it if you are having troubles. Just join it to the new domain and go back to your old domain and just delete the computer object from ADUC.


Thanks for both your comments. Problem is, I'm logging in as the local Admin, but when I go to "my computer -- computer name" and click "change" the "member of" has "domain" selected with the old domain, but the entry field is greyed out. And if I click the radio button next to "workgroup" and enter a name like "workgroup" and hit "OK", there's a delay and then an error that the "domain controller for the old domain could not be contacted" (and of course the old domain doesn't exist anymore).

It's like I don't have sufficient privileges to make the change, but I'm logged in as the local administrator?


--
Paul Bergson
MVP - Directory Services
MCTS, MCT, MCSE, MCSA, Security+, BS CSci
2008, 2003, 2000 (Early Achiever), NT4

http://www.pbbergs.com

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"geekyguy" <geeky@xxxxxxx> wrote in message news:ub798pPEJHA.616@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi: I have an xp sp3 computer that was a member of a domain that no longer exists. I'm trying to assign it to a new domain by changing it's membership to "workgroup", but I get an error that the domain controller could not be contacted for the old domain.

How can I force it drop it's old domain affiliation? I'm logged in as administrator right now.

TIA




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