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Cannot Join Domain

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12 replies

by a_tank

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I am trying to add a new machine to my domain, and I get the error "cannot find domain controller for this domain". From the PDC and BDC, I can ping this new machine, both by name, and IP. However, from the BDC I cannot ping this new machine, but I can from the PDC. (The BDC is the domain controller here)
Any help would be appreciated.

12 replies

by stillatit

Checking the basics first, do you have netbeui on the new machine? Are the three machines all on the same segment? It sounds like the BDC may be on a different segment.

You might add an LMHOSTS file to the new machine, pointing at the BDC, with a#PRE and #DOM tag. That would let the new machine find the BDC even if broadcast would not find it over a router.

If your new machine is a 9x box, make sure you have the Microsoft client loaded.

Good luck.

by wolffster

For one thing, your PDC should be the domain controller and it should be replicating with the BDC.

FirTry this, when you are joining the domain, you need to add the computer to the domain. You will need to supply a username and password for an account capable of adding to the domain. Most likely administrator(unless that account has been renamed for security).

by ezmoney

It's a little confusing just where you can and can not ping. Can you ping IP but not computer name from both PDC and DBC? If this is a new NT2K Professional pc you need to remove the TCP/IP protocol and reinstall. Check the network configuration (ipconfig /all from command prompt) and see if you have a WINS/DNS.

by mark_lt

do these 2 things and you should get there, even if using dhcp, add the wins server entries, and add this line to the end of lmhosts(make sure its not still called lmhosts.sam)

ipaddressofPDC#pre#dom:nameofdomain

by a.belair

First of all try pinging the loop back address. (127.0.0.1). If you get a reply, chances are you have configured the network card correctly.

Second, try to see if you can ping the IP address of a domain controler (PDC or BDC).

If that works try pinging a domain controller by computer name.

If all this works, their is no reason you can not join the domain.

If one of these fails try turning the auto detection off in the advanced network card settings. For example be specific for line speed,line type,etc.. (10BaseT...UTP...10mbps or 100mbps)

I almost certain your problem is a physical connection.

Good luck.

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