Windows
2000
PC

Domain and Passwords in Windows 2000

Starting with Windows 2000, users must log into their computers and into the Wellesley College Windows Domain. This is a different approach from the past, and this document will answer some of the questions with this process. The following information applies only for Windows 2000 computers that are managed by the college and not for personally owned Windows 2000 computers.

Return to Welcome to Windows 2000 at Wellesley College

CONTENTS

1. What is a Windows Domain?

7. What is my Windows profile?

2. Why do I have to log into my computer?

 8. How do I backup my work?
3. What is a domain account? 9. How do I configure my computer for file sharing?

4. How do I add new domain users to my computer?

 10. How do I share files on my computer?
5. How do I change my passwords? 11. Why should I log out of my computer?
6. What if I forget my passwords?  

1. What is a Windows Domain?

A Windows Domain is a group of Windows NT and Windows 2000 file servers and other computers which share user and security information. Wellesley college has a domain which permits us to access file servers such as NTM and Alice. To use these file servers, you must log in to the Wellesley domain using your domain account; when you are finished using your computer, you should log out of the domain and any servers to which you are connected. You do not need to log in to the domain in order to print or use Internet applications such as Internet Explorer or FirstClass.

All college-owned computers are members of the Wellesley domain.

2. Why do I have to log into my computer?

By logging into your computer, you identify yourself to the domain using a unique identifier. This allows the domain to recognize you as a member of the Wellesley College community, and it can allow you access to any restricted file servers which you have permission to use.

3. What is a domain account?

A domain account is an individual user's identification to the domain. You use your domain account to log into the Wellesley domain. Every user will have a username and a password. Your domain account is different from your FirstClass account, although your 8-letter username will be the same. Your domain password can and should be different from your FirstClass password.


4. How do I add new domain users to my computer?

You may allow any number of Wellesley domain users to log into your Windows 2000 computer by adding them as users. You will need to log in using the Administrator account to allow new users.

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Users and Passwords.
  2. Click Add....
  3. Enter the user's Wellesley College domain account (ie, wwellesley) in the User Name field.
  4. Enter WELLESLEY in the Domain field.
  5. Click Next.
  6. Make sure that Standard User is selected for access level. For more information about user groups, click here.
  7. Click Finish.

5. How do I change my password?

To maintain the security of your domain account, you should change your domain password whenever you have reason to suspect that another person has learned your password.

Your domain password should be between 6 and 8 characters in length. Macintoshes are not capable of understanding domain passwords more than 8 characters long; if you set a domain password longer than 8 characters using a Windows computer, you will not be able to log in to the domain from a Macintosh. It is not possible to set a domain password less than 6 characters long. For security, your password should consist of a combination of letters and numbers.

Note: It is not possible to change your domain password from a Windows 2000 Computer that is not a member of the Wellesley Domain. If your computer is not college-owned, you will need to work from a public Windows 2000 machine.

To change your password:

  1. Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE.
  2. Click Change Password.
  3. In the User name field, type your domain user name. In the Log on to field, make sure WELLESLEY is selected. In the Old Password field, type your old password. In the New Password field, type your new password; in the Confirm New field, type your new password again. Click OK. Note: Your password should be between 6 and 8 characters long. Your new password must not be the same as your old password.
  4. When you receive a message that your password has been changed, click OK.
  5. In the Windows Security window, click Cancel.

6. What if I forget my password?

If you forget your domain account password, you can have it reset. Contact the Help Desk at Extension 3333.

7. What is my Windows Profile?

Your Windows profile holds all of your personal user settings on a given computer. When you log in for the first time on a computer, it is created for you. After that, it is loaded when you log on using your domain account, and includes user-specific settings such as what programs you have in your desktop, the color of the background image, your mouse settings, and your printers.

Your user profile is stored in a folder on the hard drive, at C:\Documents and Settings\username.

8. How do I backup my work?

When you save your work to the hard drive on a Windows 2000 machine, it is stored with the rest of your user-specific information under C:\Documents and Settings\username. You can use the My Documents folder there to access them. By default, a shortcut to My Documents is placed on the Desktop.

It is a good idea to save all files to a source other than your hard disk as well, such as a floppy disk or a zip disk.

9. How do I configure my computer for file sharing?

  1. On your desktop, double-click the My Computer icon.
  2. Click the Network and Dial-Up Connections links.
  3. Right-click Local Area Connection and select Properties.
  4. In the window that opens, check for File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. If you see it there, your computer is already configured for file sharing. If not, continue through the rest of the steps here.
  5. Click the Install button.
  6. Click once on Service to select it.
  7. Click Add.
  8. Click once on File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks to select it.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Click Close.

10. How do I share files on my computer?

Please follow the instructions listed at http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/FileSharing/Windows/win2kxp.html

 

11. Why should I log out of my computer?

While your computer is logged into the domain with your domain account, anyone at the computer will be identified as you, and can gain access to private server directories. For this reason, you should always log out when you are leaving your computer unattended. To log out:

  1. From the Start menu, choose Log Off.
  2. When you are asked if you are sure you want to log off, click Yes.

If the Log Off option does not appear in the Start menu:

  1. Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE.
  2. Click Log Off.
  3. When you are asked if you are sure you want to log off, click Yes.

Shutting down your computer will automatically log you out.


Computing at Wellesley

Macintosh Documentation

PC Documentation

  • Han Su Kim, mailto:hkim4@wellesley.edu
  • Information Services
  • Date Created: April 15, 2002
  • Last Modified: August 21, 2002
  • Page Expires: Jan 1, 2003