Save user setting for re-install

[SteveDingle]

Hello All,

Because of problems with my 2003 Server and my workstation I will have to reinstall server on my home network for the 3rd time.

I am getting very tired having to constantly re-setup my PC's because they are considered NEW USER (Of which they are not).

This is very very time consuming and IMHO a completely waste of time

Is there anything I can do to "save" my current settings (Desktop, Application install, Application settings etc...) and then reload them when I am considered a NEW USER on the PC (Again, which I am not)

Thanks


Toodles,
Steve Dingle

http://www.dsbusinesssolutions.co.uk

D&S Business Solutions Ltd

 

[sutors]

Try using user state migration tool:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...4c-29d9-4449-81d5-4b69b97df7ae&displaylang=en

This will save your MS settings; however i'm not sure about the apps though..

Lukasz

 

[58sniper]

If you rebuild a server, and it's the only DC, then your user accounts are indeed "new" - even if the domain is named the same thing.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP

 

[SteveDingle]

Thanks for the link sutors, will try that

58sniper - while I understand that point I have never understood why "joining a new network" with the same PC means I have to be a new user on my PC. Been having this same frustrating problem for decade now and still haven't seen the point. Anyway, sorry for the vent

Thanks
Steve

 

[58sniper]

Because the user account on the domain is assigned to a specific SID that's unique to that account on that domain. Having an identically named account on another domain is still a different SID.

When you log into a PC that's joined to the domain, it's based on SID. If you remove a machine from the domain, then rejoin the same domain, the SID is the same. If you remove a machine from the domain, and join a different name - even one named the same thing, you're dealing with all new SIDs.

When that happens, you can quite easily move the old profile over to the new profile so that settings aren't lost.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP

 

[SteveDingle]

>> you can quite easily move the old profile
>> over to the new profile so that settings aren't lost.

Would I do this using the "user state migration" tool that sutors mentioned or is there another way

thanks

 

[58sniper]

Nope - wouldn't need to. You'd just copy the files from the old profile to the new profile, grant rights, and poof - done.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP

 

[sutors]

If you only planning to have one server, you can always take a hard drive image and keep it just in case you need to rebuild it again. That way you'll have the same SID next time you image it back. (but only do it if you have one DC).

 

[SteveDingle]

Sorry for being such a novice but this is a home network. Also, I will be reinstalling my server completely so I would have to take the "profiles" before reinstall then reinstall them

Where are "profiles" stored? In the past all I (or a friend) have done is add user/PC accounts, never had to deal with profiles.

Are these on the PC or the 2003 server

Thanks
Steve

 

[SteveDingle]

Sutors re: Disk Image, yes this time I will definitely do that