We have got three computers running a process through a SCADA package on Win-NT in a workgroup environment . There is a SERVER running NT-Server and the other two are NT-workstations .The SERVER basically is there to provide sharing of the database for the process parameters as well as providing the input/output server DDE Share . Now the problem is that there were no users programmed into the system and the 2 workstation computers were auto-running to the SCADA application . I decided to create new user accounts for each of the operators . When I logged in on the server as one of the new users I got an error message that the SCADA application could not start. But when I added the Administrators group membership to the user the application could now start. The problem now was that the computers could not link to the DDE share . I re-named and changed profiles of the accounts several times but the end result was that I could not get the system to work ! Fortunately ( or unfortunately ) I had created an ERD disk prior to the changes . But I want to know how , if possible , I can restore the original profiles without having to re-instal the applications and other Service Packs . ( NOTE: all the copmuters have SP4 applied ). Thank you Cole Ndlovu Plant Engineer

Hopefully, the ERD disk which you made was created before the damaging changes but not before the most recent Service Pack application. If you need to use it to restore an NT operating system, the ERD has to be updated periodically. Alternatively, you can restore to the Service Pack which was extant when the ERD was created, and then restore the system from the most recent tape backup. Hopefully, one of these scenarios is within your reach. If not, we want to consider using some unoccupied space on your hard drive to set up a maintenance installation of NT Server 4.0 parallel to the operations installation. From that second installation you will be able to, at least, copy crucial files before you start monkeying around with the boot files. At best, you will be able to restore the boot files and registry without doing any further damage. Keep the worst case scenario in mind, but aim for the best case scenario with the intention of recovering everything undamaged. First... tell us how long ago and at what stage of Service Pack evolution you created your ERD.

Thank goodness I finally managed without having to use the ERD . You see I had mixed up the user profiles and the application could not run . But luckily there was one user profile that I had del;eted and recreated and the username.000 profile had the original . So I made this the default and created new accopunts and ebverything went fine . Thanks for your support !!