Here's a followup to my problem of not being able to successfully login to a domain from a couple of WinXPpro PCs that were connected to a new SME Server then re-connected to the same new SME Server after it has successfully been updated with data and settings from an existing SME Server that has now been retired (migrated from SME 6.0.1 to SME 7.4).
I read that inorder to be able to connect to the updated new server, those PC's had to un-join the domain, then re-join the domain. Directions on that were unclear. Just join a workgroup to un-join the domain, then re-join the domain.
I also got an additional hints from Axessit, 1st login as administrator on the local PC, then go to Start:Control Panel:System:Computer Name tab. Click on the Change button. Click Workgroup. When it asks for a user and password to join the workgroup use the root user and password for the SME server.
So I did that and was able to un-join the domain and join a workgroup. The PC re-boots, again login on the local PC as Adminstrator.
When I tried to re-join the domain I Clicked Start:Control Panel:System:Computer Name tab, then clicked the Change button, the Domain button, entered in the domain name. When it asked for a user and password, I entered the root user and password for the SME server again, I was not allowed to join the domain. I tried the admin user and password for the SME server and was successful. Then the local PC rebooted.
When I logged in at the local PC into the domain using the former profile name, in this case /ZTECHNOLOGY/johnp the computer created a new profile, C:\docs&settings\johnp.ztechnology.000
I wanted to use the old profile C:\docs&settings\johnp.ztechnology which I could see was still on the PC's drive.
Thinking that I would have to start all over, I did a system restore on the PC to a time before I un-joined the domain. The local PC re-booted, then just for grins I tried loging into the domain as the user johnp, and voila the system let me in, and all my previous profile files and settings were present.
I did the same procedure on the other PC and successfully un-joined, re-joined the domain, logged in as the old user got a new profile, then did a system restore to a time before the un-join/re-join, then was able to login to the old profile.
So I'm all operational now. Thanks to those who offered guidence Sefano, Mary, and Axessit.
John Purdy
RF_Guy