I just left my old domain (server was retired some time ago) on my Windows 7 laptop, and created a workgroup to move it into. I was using domain administrator account and password consistently on this machine, and when I did this. I was prompted for Administrator account name and password before windows would make this change, so I thought everything would be ok. Password succeeded.
Now system boots to login page displaying icon and existing name for the computer. (computer was named before joining domain long ago). No other icons are available, no link to log into other accounts, and no password entry field is present (I didn't initially create a password for new workgroup). When I click icon, "welcome" appears briefly, then "logging off", then I am taken back to same login screen. Shutdown options appear in lower right, but only include shut down, hibernate, sleep, and restart; no option for log off or change user.
F8 > Last known good config yields same result. I can log in on safe mode, but windows explorer is not present in start menu or task bar, and start menu left (main) panel is featureless above all programs. Control panel and standard options appear in start menu right panel. I can start explorer from search field, and full directory structure in accessible. Computer named account is shown to be administrator type. I have option available to create a password, but don't want to make things worse.
I want to be able to log onto this account on computer normally, without reinstalling windows. This is my only objective at this time. I don't actually need to be in a workgroup, but that seemed the only way to leave domain. My purpose in leaving domain was so I could create a homegroup to connect with virtualized windows 7 on my linux desktop system, and to avoid other annoyances that have come up with being in domain.
Guidance please? Thanks in advance...
Now system boots to login page displaying icon and existing name for the computer. (computer was named before joining domain long ago). No other icons are available, no link to log into other accounts, and no password entry field is present (I didn't initially create a password for new workgroup). When I click icon, "welcome" appears briefly, then "logging off", then I am taken back to same login screen. Shutdown options appear in lower right, but only include shut down, hibernate, sleep, and restart; no option for log off or change user.
F8 > Last known good config yields same result. I can log in on safe mode, but windows explorer is not present in start menu or task bar, and start menu left (main) panel is featureless above all programs. Control panel and standard options appear in start menu right panel. I can start explorer from search field, and full directory structure in accessible. Computer named account is shown to be administrator type. I have option available to create a password, but don't want to make things worse.
I want to be able to log onto this account on computer normally, without reinstalling windows. This is my only objective at this time. I don't actually need to be in a workgroup, but that seemed the only way to leave domain. My purpose in leaving domain was so I could create a homegroup to connect with virtualized windows 7 on my linux desktop system, and to avoid other annoyances that have come up with being in domain.
Guidance please? Thanks in advance...