Users connecting to windows server 2000 from their desktops (Your help is MUCH appreciated)

I'm a beginner in networking and I truly appreciate any help or guide lines that you give me on the following subjects. I know that I can hire someone but I want to learn how to do this.
THIS IS MY QUESTIONS:
I have 3 DELL POWEREDGE servers with windows 2003. We also have lets say 5 desktop computers which I would like to connect to the server. I was able to create workgroups and things works fine but I want to create an ORIGINAL network where instead of creating user accounts on the desktop I want to create them on the network so the when the user open their desktop they get the network login screen...etc and maybe I will create personal or shared drives also...

I created login names and password on the server and I know that one of the servers didn't allow me to access Local Users and Group because it is a domain controller where as the other two servers allowed me to do this... I would like to know and learn all this stuff.

Anyone can give me an of the list of software and procedures that I will need to accomplish this on my desktops or even recommend books or websites.

Like I said I can get someone but the company gave me all the time I need to learn this and implement it.

THANK YOU VEYR MUCH!