Linking Windows 7 to a Domain

[happykappy]

I have created a domain at home. It is not a pure domain since I do not have a static IP address and my domain address comes from my IP provider. All my XP PC can access the domain server with no problems, but I am having problems with Win 7.
I have registered the computer and the user with the server, which is a Windows 2003 in the active domain user and computer area. I try to connect but unable to get access to the PC. Windows 7 can also see the domain but not able to access. I am confused by the term homegroup and workgroup is called workgroup. Change to domain and put in domain name get to user log on but unable to proceed further.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[withanh]

Your server should have a private IP address. There are a few ranges you can use, most often home routers use 192.168.0.1/24 or something similar. Your broadband modem should hold your public IP address, it's fine if it's dynamic as long as the PDC emulator (generally your first domain controller) has a static private address. You will also need DNS running, I generally have that running on my DCs, as well as DHCP running, again on the DC is fine.

Once your domain is running properly, you can join your Win7 box to the domain. On your Win7 box right click My Computer and pick Properties. Then about 1/2 way down there should be a spot showing your current computer name, etc., with a link to Change Settings. Once there you can either run the wizard to join the domain (I never use the wizards), use the button called Change, you will have an option to join a domain, you'll need to provide the domain name, then a user with the proper authority to add a computer to the domain. Then reboot.

After all that is done, your Win7 box should be happily on your domain.

 

[Lemon13]

you are mixing something here

in networking, you have a peer to peer network, that would be your workgroup. there you dont have a centralized management...., whereas in a domain, you need a domain controller that does the authentication and so on, there you have centralized management....

from your description, you installed the 2003 server as a standalone server in a workgroup enviroment

have a look here, its about the networking basics, there are for sure better how to´s out there, but it might help you understand the basics

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx

 

[withanh]

from your description, you installed the 2003 server as a standalone server in a workgroup enviroment

I don't think so, the OP says

I have created a domain at home.

and

I have registered the computer and the user with the server, which is a Windows 2003 in the active domain user and computer area.

I think they mean "Active Directory Users and Computers" which fits with them creating a domain. They created a domain user account and created a domain computer account. They just need to tell the Win7 machine to connect to the domain.

 

[happykappy]

withanh is absolutely correct as to how I set up my domain. I can see and access windows 7 (workgroup mode) from xp computers but unable to get windows 7 PC connected to the domain. I get the error message, "network path not found" when I try to connect to domain.
Obviously I am missing something but not sure what.

 

[markdmac]

Make sure that the DNS on the Windows 7 machine is using the DC's IP as the only DNS server.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.