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Win2K Pro PC cannot join NT 4.0 Domain

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5 replies

by sonj9199

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I have Win2k Pro installed on some laptops in a NT 4.0 domain. All of them are in the workgroup, "Workgroup". When attempting to add these computers to the domain, I receive the error, 'domain does not exist or cannot be contacted' I'm using DHCPwith WINS/DNS/Router. I'm using Windows 4.0 DNS server. I could ping the BDC by name and IP address. But Server Manager on the BDC cannot access these computers. All of these computers' names have been added manually via Server Manager. I've tried LMHOSTS, DNS fixes and static IPs. None of these worked. BDC is multi-homed supporting 2 network IP segments. The other segment(1) is fine (other Win2k installs OK) - this segment has the PDC on it as well. Segment(2) has no PDC, just this BDC. Any suggestions? Thanks.

5 replies

by tony.colgrove

Any WinNT or Win2K computer joining an NT4 domain MUST contact the PDC to join. This begs the questions if your machines can get to the PDC from their segment. You might want to put an LMHOSTS file on the workstation long enough to join the domain.
In an additional side note. Win2K computers will always try to authenticate to the PDC, even if a BDC is closer.
I believe there is a Technote on forcing authentication to a specific server, but it escapes me at the moment.

by sonj9199

Thanks for your reply. I added the WIN2K laptops to the domain via the IP network segment with the PDC first. Then, I did logged into the domain via the other network IP segment with the BDC only. I was still able to access all the resources within the domain because all I changed, in theory, was the IP address. Thanks!

by rcoegbr

I have a similar situation with Win2K laptops not being able to enter a domain but do know the answer for us. The laptops are at a site removed from the PDC and our problem is that netbios is not working correctly which is why we can not authenticate corretly.
This info may be of help.. then again !

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