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Computer Services

WarnerWire - WarnerWire FAQ's

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Home » Faculty & Staff » Computer Services » WarnerWire » WarnerWire FAQ's

Domain and Passwords in Windows XP

Starting with the Windows XP domain rollout, users must log into their computers under the Warner Southern College Windows Domain (Warnerwire). This is a different approach from the past, and this document will answer some of the questions with this process.

NOTE: The following information applies only for Windows XP computers that are part of the Warnerwire domain (managed by the college) and not for personally-owned Windows XP computers.

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1. What is a Windows Domain?
2. Why do I have to log into my computer?
3. What is a domain account?
4. Where will I save my documents?
5. How do I change my passwords?
6. What if I forget my passwords?
7. What is my Windows profile?
8. How do I backup my work?
9. Why should I log out of my computer?

• More Information

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1. What is a Windows Domain?

A Windows Domain is a group of Windows 2003 and Windows 2000 file servers and other computers which share user and security information. Warner Southern College has a domain which permits us to access file servers such as Univers and others more securely. To use these file servers, you must log in to the Warnerwire domain using your domain account; when you are finished using your computer, you should log out of the domain by logging off of your computer.

All college-owned computers will soon be members of the Warner Southern College domain (Warnerwire).

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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 identifier is known as your domain account and password.) This allows the domain to recognize you as a member of the Warner Southern community, and it can allow you access to any restricted file servers which you have permission to use.

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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 Warnerwire domain. Every user will have a username and a password. Your domain account is different from your Univers account and your web mail account. Your domain password can and should be different from your web mail and Univers passwords.

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4. Where will I save my documents?

You have 3 locations in which you can save documents.

1. My documents (this is a location on your computer that is not backed up)
2. Your H: drive (this is a location on the network that only you have access to)
3. 3. Your team's folder on the S: drive (this is a location on the network that your entire team has access to.

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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. For further security, you will be prompted to change your password every 42 days. You will start receiving warnings 14 days prior to your password expiring, letting you know that your password is about to expire.

Your domain password must be at least 8 characters in length and should have at least 1 number in it.

It is not possible to set a domain password less than 8 characters long. For security, your password should consist of a combination of letters and at least 1 number, for example: pas5word or bobc4at. Phrases are the best option for choosing a password. For example, I will create a password that utilizes the first letters of the following phrase: "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed by thy name, Matthew6": ofwaihhbtnM6. This would be very hard to crack but also very easy to remember.

It is not possible to set a domain password less than 8 characters long. For security, your password should consist of a combination of letters and at least 1 number, for example: pas5word or bobc4at. Phrases are the best option for choosing a password. For example, I will create a password that utilizes the first letters of the following phrase: "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed by thy name, Matthew6": ofwaihhbtnM6. This would be very hard to crack but also very easy to remember.

Note: It is not possible to change your domain password from a Windows XP Computer that is not a member of the Warner Southern Domain

To change your password:

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

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6. What if I forget my password?

If you forget your domain account password, you can have it reset. Contact the IT Department Help Desk at Extension 2345.

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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.

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8. How do I backup my work?

We back up data on the network drives (H: and S:) but we do not back up the "My "Documents folder on your computer. If you lose or overwrite a document on the H: or S: drive, ITS can retrieve previous versions of your files within 15 minutes.

ITS takes "snapshots" of the H: and S: drives twice per day (7:00am and 12:00pm). This allows us to be able to retrieve the most recent copy of your files in the case of an accidental deletion or change on your part. We also back up those drives each night to an off-site server and then to tape.

For documents in your "My Documents," you will need a plan to back those items up yourself. A thumb drive, or flash drive, works well in this regard and is portable.

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9. 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 Log Off.

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 Log Off.

Shutting down your computer will automatically log you out.

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More Information

If you like more information click on the link below to view a short presentation on the new Warnerwire domain.

Warnerwire Presentation

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