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mmongu

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19 years ago

M

mmongu

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May 2nd, 2007 20:00

strange problem with windows explorer (network)

Hi all,
 
writing for a suggestion. My m65 precision laptop runs windows ultimate and is configured with 1 domain account. Let's say my username is "joe" and my full credentials are "joe smith" (as per windows contacts) .
 
When logging on office network domain, Clicking on "start", I see "joe smith" that points to C:\Users\joe.MYDOMAINNAME
and everything works fine.
 
When loggin on at home, no matter of I am on my wifi lan or disconnectect (either case, my laptop can't reach the domain controller), after a while happens that....

Clicking on "start", I see "joe" (smith is gone). If I click on this (or "Documents", or "Pictures" or...) I get windows explorer almost hanging. It takes several secs (30-40) to get out of blank page (title bar says "...not responding") and show contents.

I verified, when contents appear, that "joe" still points  to C:\Users\joe.MYDOMAINNAME (it is still me!) but somehow vista is either waiting for some info or ...?

any idea?

thanks in advance

marco

  • Rebel9

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    Posted May 2nd, 2007 23:00

    Your machine is configured to logon to your domain at work. When you bring the laptop home, you are no longer connected to the domain. Windows is looking for that particular network and can't find it.
  • mmongu

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    Posted May 3rd, 2007 08:00

    thanks for your reply. I had the same thought too. I used this setup with xp for years and no problem spotted: I think for its own nature a laptop can go in an out of a domain facility. Do you know of any setting in vista "to help" the system forgetting to keep searching the domain controller?
    is this a vista bug in your opinion?
    thanks
     
  • BBraxton

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    Posted May 3rd, 2007 10:00

    When I set up a system, I create the same (identical) user two times on the laptop: 1) as you described, to the domain 2) to the local computer under "Advanced" and then be sure in Properties to make "Member of" the group "Administrators" (must also be a member of "Users") Then at the Ctrl-alt-del for logging in, choose "Options" to show a drop down list and select (not the Domain) the name of the local system / laptop. Your local login may not have a password (although you can set one; and it can be different from the Domain password for login, even though the text of the ID is identical).
  • Rebel9

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    Posted May 3rd, 2007 11:00

    Certainly an laptop can move from domain to domain or to a home network, but it has to be set up to operate that way. It's not a Vista bug. There is a great little app called NetSwitcher for XP, but there is no Vista version yet. Hopefully one will be released soon. Try BBraxton's solution and see if it works for you.
  • Rebel9

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    Posted May 3rd, 2007 16:00

    Sorry - Can't help you with that (that's why I've always used a third party utility). A Google did reveal a few other apps that are Vista compatible. Hope this helps.
  • mmongu

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    Posted May 3rd, 2007 16:00

    Thanks for you replies. Wating for netswitcher, I am trying the dual account approach. How can I make both accounts pointing to the same home, same config etc etc, in a way the account switch is transparent?
    marco
  • mmongu

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    Posted May 4th, 2007 16:00

    Hi,
     
    I am checking a couple of these utilities (in particular "Mobile Net Switch"), but can't find any setting to apply to an "home network" profile that would tell vista "look, I am a using domain account but forget to look for the domain controller" :-(
     
    Any idea is appreciated. I tried the dual account solution but was unable to set it up in a way
    they share all settings and home directory.
     
    Thanks
    marco
  • mmongu

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    Posted May 21st, 2007 09:00

    Hi all,
     
    an update in case anyone runs in the same problem and struggle trying to understand what's up.
     
    In other words, some weirdness with domains in vista.
     
    My side I had to move my laptop from domain to workgroup. Now everything is fine
    (waiting for sp1).
     
    m.