Anilrgowda

Question: I just got finished installing Active Directory on my new Windows 2003 Server box, and in the process also installed DNS.

I created a new domain called IDEAWAVES, and made my box a domain controller via the Active Directory installation.

After all is done,
I am unsure why I can log into the domain that I had set up (IDEAWAVES),
BUT when logging in, there is no drop down option to log in locally.

During the installation process, user Administrator was automatically created and given same password as the local administrator account on the box.

Now, I can log in to the domain via the domain Administrator account, but I cannot log in with Administrator locally, with the local Administrator account that was originally created when I did the 2003 installation.

Why is this?

I am looking at the server, My computer, Manage.

I don't see a "Local Users and Groups" category.

Why is this missing?

I am looking at other servers that I have at work, and there is a "Local Users and Groups" category, when going into My computer, Manage.

Anilrgowda

When you promote a server to AD Domain Controller status, the local users and groups are no longer functional. This is by design. You will need to create a domain user account to login with. (This account must be a member of at least power users to login locally unless you modify the security settings.)