|  | Changing User Name | | |
| | | Fran99 |  |
|  Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:07 am Post subject: Changing User Name |  |
I am Running 3 machines with XP Pro I am tring to access the desktop thru
the LAN.
I am tring to change the user names on all 3 computer to be the same.
When I change the name of the Computer Administrator user the file under
Documents and Settings is still the old name and I can't rename it.
WHY?
When I create a new folder with the new name and copy all the files I can it
seems to work.
WHY?
Thanks for the help
fran99 |
| |
| | | Malke | |
| | Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:09 am Post subject: Re: Changing User Name | |
| |  | |
Fran99 wrote:
| Quote: | I am Running 3 machines with XP Pro I am tring to access the desktop
thru the LAN.
I am tring to change the user names on all 3 computer to be the same.
When I change the name of the Computer Administrator user the file under
Documents and Settings is still the old name and I can't rename it.
WHY?
When I create a new folder with the new name and copy all the files I can
it seems to work.
|
You cannot change the true nature (underlying files/folders) of a user
account by simply changing the name. That is a cosmetic effect only. You
need to create new user accounts, all named the same or whatever you like.
You can then copy the old user account on each machine to the new user
account respectively on each machine if you wish. You need to make a third
user account from which to work which can be temporary (delete afterwards)
or just keep as an extra administrative account for emergencies. Just
follow the instructions in the link below. You will need to log into the
new accounts once before you can copy anything to them.
Copy a User Account - LINK
As for your last question, I don't know exactly what you mean. It doesn't
matter though; once you've created the matching user accounts and passwords
on all three machines (a matter of just a few minutes), your sharing will
work perfectly. See below for general network troubleshooting steps in case
any of it is applicable to your situation.
For XP, start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see
caveat in Item A below).
Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused
by 1) a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall (including a stateful
firewall in a VPN); or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the
built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having
identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying
to create shares where the operating system does not permit it.
A. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network (LAN)
traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing File/Printer
Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the Network Setup Wizard on
XP will take care of this for those machines.The only "gotcha" is that this
will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a
third-party firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm
Protection" (like Norton 2006/07) which acts as a firewall, then you're
fine. With third-party firewalls, I usually configure the LAN allowance
with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you
would substitute your correct subnet. Do not run more than one firewall. DO
NOT TURN OFF FIREWALLS; CONFIGURE THEM CORRECTLY.
B. For ease of organization, put all computers in the same Workgroup. This
is done from the System applet in Control Panel, Computer Name tab.
C. Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. You do not
need to be logged into the same account on all machines and the passwords
assigned to each user account can be different; the accounts/passwords just
need to exist and match on all machines. DO NOT NEGLECT TO CREATE
PASSWORDS, EVEN IF ONLY SIMPLE ONES. If you wish a machine to boot directly
to the Desktop (into one particular user's account) for convenience, you
can do this. The instructions at this link work for both XP and Vista:
Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
LINK
D. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab).
E. Create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users' home
directories or Program Files, but you can share folders inside those
directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared Documents folder.
Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - LINK |
| |
| | | Fran99 | |
| | Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:54 am Post subject: Re: Changing User Name | |
| | | |
Malke
Thank You very much for taking the time to help me.
your help was right on it is now working great.
thank again
fran99
"Malke" wrote:
| Quote: | Fran99 wrote:
I am Running 3 machines with XP Pro I am tring to access the desktop
thru the LAN.
I am tring to change the user names on all 3 computer to be the same.
When I change the name of the Computer Administrator user the file under
Documents and Settings is still the old name and I can't rename it.
WHY?
When I create a new folder with the new name and copy all the files I can
it seems to work.
You cannot change the true nature (underlying files/folders) of a user
account by simply changing the name. That is a cosmetic effect only. You
need to create new user accounts, all named the same or whatever you like.
You can then copy the old user account on each machine to the new user
account respectively on each machine if you wish. You need to make a third
user account from which to work which can be temporary (delete afterwards)
or just keep as an extra administrative account for emergencies. Just
follow the instructions in the link below. You will need to log into the
new accounts once before you can copy anything to them.
Copy a User Account - LINK
As for your last question, I don't know exactly what you mean. It doesn't
matter though; once you've created the matching user accounts and passwords
on all three machines (a matter of just a few minutes), your sharing will
work perfectly. See below for general network troubleshooting steps in case
any of it is applicable to your situation.
For XP, start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see
caveat in Item A below).
Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused
by 1) a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall (including a stateful
firewall in a VPN); or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the
built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having
identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying
to create shares where the operating system does not permit it.
A. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network (LAN)
traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing File/Printer
Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the Network Setup Wizard on
XP will take care of this for those machines.The only "gotcha" is that this
will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a
third-party firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm
Protection" (like Norton 2006/07) which acts as a firewall, then you're
fine. With third-party firewalls, I usually configure the LAN allowance
with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you
would substitute your correct subnet. Do not run more than one firewall. DO
NOT TURN OFF FIREWALLS; CONFIGURE THEM CORRECTLY.
B. For ease of organization, put all computers in the same Workgroup. This
is done from the System applet in Control Panel, Computer Name tab.
C. Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. You do not
need to be logged into the same account on all machines and the passwords
assigned to each user account can be different; the accounts/passwords just
need to exist and match on all machines. DO NOT NEGLECT TO CREATE
PASSWORDS, EVEN IF ONLY SIMPLE ONES. If you wish a machine to boot directly
to the Desktop (into one particular user's account) for convenience, you
can do this. The instructions at this link work for both XP and Vista:
Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
LINK
D. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab).
E. Create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users' home
directories or Program Files, but you can share folders inside those
directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared Documents folder.
Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - LINK
|
|
| |
| | | Malke | |
| | Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:21 am Post subject: Re: Changing User Name | |
Fran99 wrote:
| Quote: | Malke
Thank You very much for taking the time to help me.
your help was right on it is now working great.
|
Glad to hear that helped you sort it. Thanks for taking the time to let me
know.
Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - LINK |
| |
| | | Bruce Chambers | |
| | Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: Changing User Name | |
| | | |
Fran99 wrote:
| Quote: | I am Running 3 machines with XP Pro I am tring to access the desktop thru
the LAN.
I am tring to change the user names on all 3 computer to be the same.
When I change the name of the Computer Administrator user the file under
Documents and Settings is still the old name and I can't rename it.
WHY?
|
Because these are "protected system" folders that shouldn't be renamed.
The user profile folders (C:\Documents and Settings\Username)
_cannot_ be renamed, without risky registry editing, even if the
associated user account has been. So, your best course of action would
be to log on using the built-in Administrator account, create a new user
account, with the username desired. Once you've logged in using this
new account (and transfered any data you need to preserve, you can then
delete the old user account(s).
HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
LINK
How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
LINK
| Quote: |
When I create a new folder with the new name and copy all the files I can it
seems to work.
WHY?
|
Because that's doing it the right way.
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you:
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They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot |
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