Change computers name while it is on a domain

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AllNightNerding

411 posts

Ultimate Geek

#26555 25-Sep-2008 17:20

Is it ok to do this? I remember hearing or seeing somthing a while ago that this stuffed things up.

The reason I want to do this is we just got a new laptop to replace one of the others, and I want to keep the same computer name, so I want to change the old pcs name so that while I set up the new one he can use his old one and then it can be a seamless change :D they always like it when they have no down-time between computer changes.

-- Divett Enterprises -- The Power Of Tomorrow --

MrAlan

98 posts

Master Geek

#167115 25-Sep-2008 17:25

make sure you are connected to the network
right click my computer
select properties
goto the computer name tab
click change
enter new name
click ok
enter credentials of user with rights to add computers to the domain or just leave blank and press ok if you are already logged in with a domain admin account.

when you do it this way it will be safe.

AllNightNerding

411 posts

Ultimate Geek

#167117 25-Sep-2008 17:32

so doesnt the domain have any affect on that?

-- Divett Enterprises -- The Power Of Tomorrow --

MrAlan

98 posts

Master Geek

#167122 25-Sep-2008 17:47

the domain stores the computer unique id (SID) in the computer account name on the server. when changing the name following the instructions I wrote above; Active Directory will also change the computer account to the new name so that both the computer name and the computer account on the domain have the same SID in turn making the old name of the computer available for any other computer to use.

problems arise when you change the name of the computer and do it in a way where Active Directory hasn't been told about the change. So it still has an account for the computer under the old name and no new computers can take that name because they won't have the same SID.