Member Avatar for Nick10

I am a public school teacher and my PC was part of a domain. When I tried to join a homegroup in order to print from a network printer, it deleted the domain and joined the homegroup. Once I restarted my computer and had to log back in, I couldn't. So now I can't even get into my computer.

Is there someway I can login to be able to change the networking back to domain? What if I go through safe mode or something? My ID is supposed to be an admin ID. I also tried using the computer teachers ID (she is an admin) and it wouldn't let her log in either.

It always say "Windows Security - The specified account does not exist" no matter who tries to login. I am running Windows 7.

Please help! Is there anything I can do?

Edited by Nick10 because: n/a
  • 4 Contributors
  • 3 Replies
  • 240 Views
  • 1 Week Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by cash1846

Dani AI

Generated

Joining a HomeGroup/workgroup does not "erase" Active Directory, but it breaks the trust between the PC and the domain controller. Domain credentials require the machine to be a member of the domain (or to have cached credentials while still configured for the domain). The error "The specified account does not exist" usually means the local machine no longer recognizes the domain account because the computer is no longer joined to that domain.

Because this is a school-managed environment, the fastest, safest fix is for the domain administrators to handle it: they can reset or re-create the computer account in Active Directory, reset user passwords on the server, or provide a local admin account. This complements the ideas mentioned by , and but avoids risky shortcuts on a managed machine.

If immediate IT help is not available, one commonly used recovery method is to boot the PC from Windows 7 install media or a System Repair Disc, open the Recovery Command Prompt and create a new local administrator account. From the repair command prompt (after choosing Repair your computer -> Command Prompt) backup utilman.exe, replace it with cmd.exe, reboot to the logon screen, then invoke the Ease of Access button to get a SYSTEM command prompt and create the account:

copy C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe C:\utilman.exe.bak
copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe

net user TempAdmin P@ssw0rd! /add
net localgroup Administrators TempAdmin /add

copy C:\utilman.exe.bak C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe
del C:\utilman.exe.bak

After logging in with the new local admin, reconnect the PC to the school network (wired), then rejoin the domain using the domain administrator credentials. Note: rejoining often requires a domain admin to reset the computer account in AD to avoid duplicate entries. Back up any personal files first (booting from a rescue USB or Linux live disk will allow copying files to an external drive). Because these steps modify system files and bypass normal authentication, restore utilman.exe and follow school policy; when possible, have IT perform the recovery.

Recommended Answers

All 3 Replies

Member Avatar for cypher1

If you were part of a domain you could have added the printer to the domain.Have you got full admin right to access the domain.You can reset user password on the Server and should let you back into the domain.

Member Avatar for medog

Re-boot press F8 while system boots. Boot selection screen will appear select boot to safe mode. After Windows loads it will show a window asking if you would like to restore your system to a previous time select yes. Choose a time prior to your changes and restore. After reboot all your domain settings should be retored.

I am a public school teacher and my PC was part of a domain. When I tried to join a homegroup in order to print from a network printer, it deleted the domain and joined the homegroup. Once I restarted my computer and had to log back in, I couldn't. So now I can't even get into my computer.

Is there someway I can login to be able to change the networking back to domain? What if I go through safe mode or something? My ID is supposed to be an admin ID. I also tried using the computer teachers ID (she is an admin) and it wouldn't let her log in either.

It always say "Windows Security - The specified account does not exist" no matter who tries to login. I am running Windows 7.

Please help! Is there anything I can do?

Member Avatar for cash1846

Try the domain log in by typing the domain name followed by the back slash and then the user name while physically plugged into the domain. If that doesn't work you can download and burn Ophcrack.
]http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/download.php?type=livecd[/URL]
Boot to the disc and reset the local administrator account. Follow the directions and you should be able to boot normally and then join the domain again.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.