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I was obviously upset to find that I could not log on to the DNS server at work with our two, newest, fastest laptops just because they were running Windows Vista Home Edition (Premium).

As with many purchases, the decision to get two new laptops for the events coming up was made very late. The rush was to get laptops that had as many features we wanted as possible, for the cheapest price (under $1000 ea.), and to have them delivered within hours of the purchase.

We found two Lenovo’s that were far more powerful than the price would normally allow. The only down side was that they were running Windows Vista Home Premium, which doesn’t let us connect to the local network as a workgroup computer.

I don’t put the ownership of this limit on Microsoft. They came out with different price-points so that users wouldn’t have to pay for features they would never use.  However, manymost logistics companies (i.e. Dell, Lenovo, HP) don’t let you access the full range of Windows versions. Our option for these laptops was Vista Home Premium and that was it. 

To Microsoft’s credit, they allow you to upgrade using the same install DVD-ROM, and buying an upgrade serial number from them.  However, there is no option for a “sideways-grade”.  Home Premium and Business Edition are nearly the same price. I didn’t need the features in Home Premium, and Business Edition wasn’t available from Lenovo for that laptop. In order to get the benefit of Business Edition, I need to upgrade to Vista Ultimate, which is a full $180 more!

So much for keeping the cost of these laptops under $1G.

How to Access a Domain in Windows Vista Home Premium

Now, the following may work in Home Lite, I don’t know. However, my main concern was to get the laptop to connect to the Active Projects folder where all of our key files are stored.  Copying all relevant presentation files to USB stick on a separate desktop, then transferring them to the laptop is ridiculous when we’ve already spent good money for an OS.

My search on the web for a solution gave few hints, and even one stupid “you should just pay for the version you need”. I agree that circumventing blocked features in order to keep money away from software engineers and Mr. Gates is bad form. However, when the system builders aren’t giving us those options, then I don’t see why I should be penalized $180.

While logging into a domain enables many features, the most important one is accessing shared directories.  First, make sure you’re connected to the network by testing to see if the Internet is working.  Usually, some features like that will be available automatically.

1. Click on Start (or Windows icon, as it is ‘called’ now) -> Network
2. If the computers on the Domain don’t show up, try typing backslash-backslash (\\) computerName for one of the computers you want to access into the Address Bar. If it still doesn’t work, try \\Domainname\computername\foldername. If that doesn’t work, then try creating a mapped network drive and doing the same thing.
3. When queried for a username type in Domain/username, and just your password as normal.

Hopefully that works. If it doesn’t, then ask a more local IT guy, and try emailing Mr. Gates and asking him to bug Lenovo (or whoever sold you a version of Vista that wasn’t right for you) into delivering what the customer wants, rather than what their profit margins need.