Rename computer name

[JMM]

In the rebuilding a client computer I inadvertently gave the machine a different name. I want to rename the machine back to it's original so that the users can access their profiles. But the server gives the message that I
can't rename the machine because it is already in use.

Is this a solution? I remove the computer name from Win2000 Server Active Directory, rename the client machine while logged on to the local machine, then when logging back onto the network, Active Directory should pick up the
new/old name as a new computer????
Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim999]

Yes.

You should move the computer into a workgroup before changing it's name. Make sure active directory has no references to either machine names at this point. You can then add it to the domain again.

Side effect:

The local account database on the machine and the local users that were created during installation, such as the machinename_usr account, will retain the old computer name. This is not a problem but can be anoying.

 

[Guest_imported]

You can't change the name of the machine while you're logged on to the domain with that machine. Log in locally and then change the name as it appears on the domain. It should work. BTW, there were some querks with renaming that appeared to have gone away wiht SP2