Windows Logon

[cheesecaker]

This is probably a really stupid question, but..

How exactly does one set up the classic Windows login system? Where a user can login to any computer on the network by typing in their username and password into the classic Windows login box? I mean Windows XP here.

[bartonc]

This is probably a really stupid question, but..

How exactly does one set up the classic Windows login system? Where a user can login to any computer on the network by typing in their username and password into the classic Windows login box? I mean Windows XP here.

Go to Control Panel|User Accounts. The third option is "Change the way users log on and off. Uncheck the Use the Welcome screen box.

That'll do it.

[cheesecaker]

Go to Control Panel|User Accounts. The third option is "Change the way users log on and off. Uncheck the Use the Welcome screen box.

That'll do it.

Yes, but will this allow, say, a user account made on networked computer #1 to login from networked computer #2?

[epots9]

Yes, but will this allow, say, a user account made on networked computer #1 to login from networked computer #2?

are your computers on a domain or a workgroup?

[cheesecaker]

are your computers on a domain or a workgroup?

Well... some computers have XP Home installed, which means they can't join a Domain. So just a workgroup.

[epots9]

Well... some computers have XP Home installed, which means they can't join a Domain. So just a workgroup.

to my knowledge, this can't be done with a workgroup cuz a workgroup is like a P2P style. I'll keep looking and post any info that i can find.

[cheesecaker]

to my knowledge, this can't be done with a workgroup cuz a workgroup is like a P2P style. I'll keep looking and post any info that i can find.

So you're basically saying if these computers all joined the same domain, any user account could log in from any computer?

[epots9]

So you're basically saying if these computers all joined the same domain, any user account could log in from any computer?

no, if they were on a domain, u would have to set up accounts on the server, and only those accounts would be able to login.

[cheesecaker]

no, if they were on a domain, u would have to set up accounts on the server, and only those accounts would be able to login.

Which means I'd actually have to be running Windows Server 2003 on a server box?

[bartonc]

Which means I'd actually have to be running Windows Server 2003 on a server box?

XP Pro can act as a peer in a domain, Home can't.

[cheesecaker]

XP Pro can act as a peer in a domain, Home can't.

Yes, I understand, but let's say I could just install XP Professional on those few Home computers. Given that, I'd need Server 2003 running on a computer in the domain, yes?

[bartonc]

Yes, I understand, but let's say I could just install XP Professional on those few Home computers. Given that, I'd need Server 2003 running on a computer in the domain, yes?

According to this 2001 article, you are correct. I don't expect that much has changed since then.

[cheesecaker]

According to this 2001 article, you are correct. I don't expect that much has changed since then.

I see. Well, does anyone know any current guides to setting up a Windows domain network? There must be some out there...

[bartonc]

I see. Well, does anyone know any current guides to setting up a Windows domain network? There must be some out there...

How 'bout Installing Windows Server 2003 as a Domain Controller?

Or Google "microsoft 2003 deployment"...

where you'll find a slew of stuff including Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit at the top of the list.