WinXP Pro machine & Domain Admin

[BladeRunner 0]

I've just recieved and installed WinXP RC1.

Before that I was running Beta2.

This WinXP Pro machine is connected to an AD Domain.

Under Beta2 I simply installed the Server tools from a Win2k Server CD.

This enabled me to go:

Start>Programs>Admin Tools> Active Directory Users & Computers

 

Simple, job done.

Whilst upgrading to RC1 I'm told these tools aren't compatible and I should be using 'Remote Desktop' instead.

Is there no way I can just get the AD tools installed under XP RC1?

 

Secondly, I attempted to use 'Remote Desktop' and I get the option of connecting to 1 of my 6 Win2k Servers.

It connects, and a good thing to, as it's the only way I've found to administor the AD.

However when I attempt to connect to any of my other Win2k servers I'm told 'Connection could not be made'.

What do I need to enable on my Win2k servers so that my WinXP machine can 'Remote Desktop' with it?

 

Cheers in advance, first question is the more important one to me :-)

[Corndawg1 0]

I believe that "Remote Desktop" in XP is really just Terminal Server and client dumbed down for the consumer. Try installing Terminal Server on each of the other machines that you can't get onto.

 

If you have already done that and it doesn't work, Netmeeting has a desktop sharing feature that is close to the same thing as Remote Desktop. Just make sure both client and server are running same version of Netmeeting if thats possible.

 

Corndawg

[DosFreak 2]

Also I haven't tried yet since I haven't tried RC1 yet but try running it in compatibility mode.

[BladeRunner 0]

The lack of basic domain admin tools is really annoying!

If you install WinXP RC1 on a machine that already has the tools installed (From either a Win2k Server or WinXP Server CD) you are told they will be uninstalled as they are not compatible.

Infact they don't get removed, but as soon as you try to run them you get a stop/compatability error.

I tried re-installing the adminpak.msi file from the WinXP Server Beta2 CD and it installs fine, but same error as soon as you try to run them.

Surely MS are not expecting you to use Terminal Services to do any form of domain admin from a workstation?

Not only is it more hassle and slower, you need to (when I last checked anyway) pay extra to use the Terminal Services (licenses required).

I've fired off a bug / question to MS on this one, cause just that single feature missing makes my life as a Sys Admin very difficult and could stop me upgrading work PC's to XP.

[BladeRunner 0]

Well I installed RC2 and hoped upon hoped that the adminpak.msi tools from either a Win2k Server CD or a WinXP Server Beta2 CD would work.

 

This time the adminpak.msi file installed under RC2 without the warnings I got under RC1 - WooHooo!!!

Click Start>Programs>Administrative Tools>Active Directory Users and Computers

 

'Error' Snap-in failed to load.

So, back to the same situation, can't do AD administration from a WinXP PC.

I'll be upgrading at home, but I'm gonna have to stick to Win2k at work