Log on to windows server from client machines

Hi,

We have a Workgroup of about 12 computers. Recently we have added a new

server having Windows Server 2003 installed on it.
We do not want to log on as a domain user from all the existing
(client) computers as it requires the reconfiguration/ re-installation
of many software which are already installed on the client machines.
One of the use we are making of Windows 2003 server is as a File
server. We have some shared folders on the server. When we first time
try to connect to any of the shared folder after starting the client
machine, it shows a log on dialog to connect to server.
That works absolutely fine.
We are facing problem in following situations.
1. When we want to connect as a different user from the same computer
we need to restart the computer.
2. There is no way to change the user's password without physically
accessing the server machine.
Can you please help us to resolve the above problems?

Thanking you,
Nilangini

Hello,

I would recommend that you create domain user accounts for all users,
and copy the local user profiles to the new network user profiles. This
should take away the problem of reinstalling software, and solve your
problems on the go.

Hope this works for you,

Jaap de Koning

"nilangini" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
> Hi,
>
> We have a Workgroup of about 12 computers. Recently we have added a new
>
> server having Windows Server 2003 installed on it.
> We do not want to log on as a domain user from all the existing
> (client) computers as it requires the reconfiguration/ re-installation
> of many software which are already installed on the client machines.

Why would you need to reconfigure/reinstall? Generally speaking, you can
just copy the user's profiles to their new domain user profiles. What
software are you running that you're worried about?

> One of the use we are making of Windows 2003 server is as a File
> server. We have some shared folders on the server. When we first time
> try to connect to any of the shared folder after starting the client
> machine, it shows a log on dialog to connect to server.
> That works absolutely fine.
> We are facing problem in following situations.
> 1. When we want to connect as a different user from the same computer
> we need to restart the computer.
> 2. There is no way to change the user's password without physically
> accessing the server machine.
> Can you please help us to resolve the above problems?

Create a domain and your life will be a lot easier.
>
> Thanking you,
> Nilangini
>

There's even a cool Microsoft utility called "moveuser" which does the work
of moving a profile for you. I second the emotion on domains rather than
local accounts. When users leave, change computers, etc, having centralized
account administration is a major time saver.

On the downside though, it does require 1 (or better yet) 2 domain
controllers. You do not have use state of the art new machines, however...



"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<(E-Mail Removed) ahoo.com> wrote in message
news:u$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> Why would you need to reconfigure/reinstall? Generally speaking, you can
> just copy the user's profiles to their new domain user profiles. What
> software are you running that you're worried about?