Sometimes I wonder about our school computer tech. He reconfigured the schools network/server. After that 1 of my wifes classroom computers, her "workstation", running win98se, couldn't get online, email or see the network. Anytime she would try and access the network she would get the message the network was unavailable. She was unable to print to her classroom printer. She contacted the tech who did some things or instructed her to do some things and now she has login issues. She was also having "ie errors" intermitantly and would have to shut down and restart. She called me and I went to take a look and for some reason now she sees the login screen requesting a password. This screen also has a domain field. She clicks on cancel or the X and is able to get into her computer. Now she can access the internet and email but not the network. I assume because no password is used. The tech doesn't remember the password he used. Told her to try about ten different ones and none work. I assume she can't see the network because the password is not used(as it's not known).

Oh last night I went in and downloaded AVG(don't know what happened it was on there) and adware and found a trojan and two references to a bagel(I think or maybe begal) virus and a ton of adware. I deleted all those. I'm to the point of wanting to format(would love to go to XP but $$ is a factor) and start over but her grades are on the computer and she doesn't want anything done for fear of losing her files.

With that brief confusing history is there anyway to remove a password that is unknown and do away with the password logon procedure? TIA Pete

Is it a Peer to Peer network, or one that authenticates, like NT? If it is NT, then the tech should be able to administer her password problem at the server. If it's peer to peer, then it could be something as simple as her workgroup name is different than anyone elses. Or, if everyone else is running XP pro, they need to be set up to allow anonymous users to view their shares.

Not sure if peer to peer or Nt. Her workgroup name is the same as the districts, ie the rest. I changed one of her twelve(the one with the classroom printer) to match hers and the rest of the districts. Her other 11 are the in the same workgroup, ie "WORKGROUP". The one I changed(the one with the printer) can see both networks within the district while her computer cannot be seen or see any others. I wish I knew more about this stuff to help her. I think I know just enough to be dangerous. Thanks Pete

If you're doing workgroup names, and not domains, then it is peer to peer. There is no authentication; you should be able to see everything. You might try running the network wizard on one of the other pc's to create a network setting disk that you could then run on your wife's machine.

Here's an example. This example is for when using ICS, which does not apply, but still gets you to the point of where you can get all the setting from one PC to another, particullary XP to Win98:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/networksetupwiz.htm

The tech should easily be able to set her password to one of her choosing, so she can log on. He doesn't have to know what the password is to change it to a new one.

You are correct on why she can't see the network - "x'ing" out of the login screen means she only has access to the PC, but not the network.

If she has a domain field then she is setup to access a domain server, if you cancel at that point you are not starting the microsoft network services and you will not be able to access the network. I don't have a 98 machine available but I belive if you right click on network neighbor hood and click on properties you will see the network config screen. Select the microsoft client and click properties and remove the check mark in the domain box.

That may not be exact as I am reciting from memory.

Tim

If she doesn't have a domain it will never log in, there should be a drop down arrow on the side of the domain box if you click it you should see her machine name select this and try to login. When you select the name of the local machine instead of the domain you are using a password stored in a file with the extension of .pwl in the c:\windows directory delete or rename this file and the next time you login locally you will be able to set a new password.

Tim

Here's the screen I was talking about.

http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/Domain/win98.html

Pete,
it sounds like what the school did is put a Primary Domain Controller (PDC) in. If this is the case your wife will need to upgrade her OS to Win2000 Pro or XP Pro in order to do anything. Windows 98 does not support Domains.

I had close to 250 windows 98 machines accessing a 2000/2003 domain.

There is a DSclient for windows 98. It also depends which mode the domain is in.
Tim

I had close to 250 windows 98 machines accessing a 2000/2003 domain.

There is a DSclient for windows 98. It also depends which mode the domain is in.
Tim

That works too :)

I appreciate ALL the replys and advice. I had everyone of her computers working flawlessly until he did his thing. Now it's like pulling teeth trying to get any cooperation or anything done. This bites!!!! Pete