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Local User Profiles and Domain Logins

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11 replies

by joe.oconnor

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I have a client who has several Windows NT Workstation v4.0 computers that "login" to the local machine, not the NT domain. I would like to convert the logins to the NT domain to take advantage of login scripts, application "pushes", etc.. When I try this, the user can login to the domain but "loses" application program functionality (i.e. MS Office 97, toolbars, custom desktop shortcuts, desktop settings, etc.).

I know I can copy shortcuts to the "new" profile directory for the user. Howcan I resolve the application program problems? So far, I've had to uninstall/reinstall the applications to solve the issues. Is there a way to convert local machine profiles to domain-related profiles and retain user-specific registry settings?
Local Machine Profile: \\LOCAL\Username
Domain Profile: \\NTDOMAIN\Username

These profiles exist locally (NOT on a server) in C:\Winnt\Profiles\Username.

Any help is appreciated!

11 replies

by pcnexus

joaxe,

I have a solution, not an answer. The solution is to go and buy UPromote from www.utools.com.

This utility allows you to promote non-DCs to either a PDC or BDC. You can also demote PDCs and BDCs to standalone servers.

As a bonus, there is also a version that supports Windows 2000.

I use it in my production environment without problems.

Let me know what you think!

NTWizard

by simon sedgwick

It sounds like the programs you installed previously are user sensitive.
In the registry under Users\software, you'll find entries for these applications, maybe you could export this tree and add it to your current user profile as they logon to thedomain.

Initially this would be a lenghty process (weeding out which reg trees you'll need.)

This may help so you won't need to re-install those apps.

Even if this isn't the answer, it may lead you to a better solution. =)

by joescalia

Try this. How was this applications installed ? Under admin rights or the user's rights?
Why didn't you set up the user on the domain under a regular profile with the correct policy / rights?
Also check the policy/ rights on the local machine. I have a feeling this my work out.
Good Luck

by frobo

Hi,

their are serveral methods to do this. The one i will show you don?t need to buy anything and is good when you only have few users. You need allways third account with adminitrative rights on the local and domain account profile. If the user has an new domain Account and logged in with account, so he got somewhere a new profile. Log on that machine as an admin and locate that profile. Right click on the Desktop on workplace and chose UserProfile, mark the local Profile and click on copy.Now chose the destination, be shure to edit the right tab and add the new Domainacount.

Test the Profile with the User.

Hope it Helps

Frobo

by timber

Add the workstation to the domain.

Log in as the user into the domain let it create the new profile. Logout

Login as administrator. Open Explorer goto Winnt\Profiles\. You should see the user listed twice one will have a .000 or .001 the one with the .000 or .001 is the new profile.

Open the old profile directorie should just be the username. Click edit select all -- copy.

Open the newly created profile directory .000 or .001 and select edit paste -- and select yes to all to overwrite the files.

This process will copy the users old functional registry, desktop and start menu to the new profile. and all the apps should then work.

Good luck...

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