Knowledge Base & FAQ's

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You MUST log into the workstation with the local administrator account to carry out this procedure.

Next, you will need to add the server to the list of "trusted sites" in the Workstation's IE Security settings because the level it is currently set for will not prompt you to install the ActiveX required for the wizard to run.

If you have previously attempted to run the http://<servername>/connectcomputer wizard on a particular workstation, then you need to be using a different name when running the "Add Computer" wizard.

These are the EXACT steps which must be taken for a machine that was either previously joined to the domain, or for a machine that ConnectComputer was attempted but failed.

The following needs to be done with the client machine:
1. Log in with THAT machine's LOCAL administrator account. Do not use a DOMAIN account to log in.
2. Unjoin the domain into a WORKGROUP
3. Change the name of the computer
4. Delete or rename the following directory C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Small Business Server\Clients if it exists
5. Ensure that DHCP is enabled and there are no manually configured network settings
6. Reboot

Then on the server, from the Server Management Console:
1. Remove the client computers if it still shows in the Client Computer screen on the Server Management Console
2. Add the client with it's NEW name using the Add Computer wizard

Then, go back to the client machine and join the domain by opening Internet Explorer and navigating to http://<servername>/connectcomputer

NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE AN AVAILABLE USER ACCOUNT FOR EACH WORKSTATION YOU WANT TO ADD.

Just to be clear about what's happening here... when you run the Add User Wizard from the management console, it actually runs a command line entry of "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Small Business Server\Administration\addusr.exe /c" The /c option makes it automatically run "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Small Business Server\ClientSetup\scw.exe" immediately after the Add User wizard. SCW.exe is the Add Computer Wizard, so in essence, it's running it separately anyhow.

As for Client Computer Naming Conventions... I originally had used a descriptive name for workstations (such as DELL4600-01, DELL4600-02, etc.) But have begun using the user's name along with a number (such as ROB01, STEVE01) and then if I have to unjoin, rejoin with the steps above ROB01 can become ROB02.

The reason for using the user's name is that it makes it easier for users to find their assigned computer when connecting to Remote Web Workplace. Also, I make it a practice to not reassign a workstation to a new user until that computer has been thoroughly inspected and cleaned up. Once I've verified that the computer is in good working order and was configured on the domain properly I rename the workstation to the new user's name by simply logging in as a domain administrator and right clicking My Computer > Properties > Computer Name TAB > Change... and put in the new name. This will automatically update the Active Directory and DNS entries.