Remove or view SID

[q12368c]

How can I get or change the SID of my PC? I clone my XP image to another PC and find that it can't connect to the network.

thk a lot

 

[j79zlr]

The session ID is unique, but a ghosted copy should keep it the same [I think]. However, this should not affect network connectivity at all.

 

[fitz]

Microsoft Sysprep (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/deploying/introduction.asp) works well if you are preparing a base image. Takes a little more work and is honestly only worth the trouble of learning it if you are going to be using the image in a work environement for imaging multiple machines.

Otherwise, there are various 3rd party utiltiies that will do it.

If you used Ghost (http://www.symantec.com/sabu/ghost/ghost_personal/), they include their Ghost Walker program that changes the SID. Almost all other imaging programs you purchase usually include a similiar utility.. check with the software you used to produce the cloning.

Finally, there is a freeware SID changer from sysinternals found here: http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/source/newsid.shtml

 

[fitz]

The session ID is unique, but a ghosted copy should keep it the same [I think]. However, this should not affect network connectivity at all.

Network connectivity should not be impacted. But duplicate SIDS hold major security implications when running a Windows network in Workgroup mode or when depending on local computer accounts for security.

Technically, Microsoft does not support cloned machines other than ones that used their sysprep utility. More info here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;162001