Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Sporatic logins

0 helpful
9 replies

by lmoore26101

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
I service a 28 school network.4 of the schools are suffering log-in problems. Nt4 servers and a mixture of 95 & 98 workstations.Running DHCP.Sometimes different people can't log in. You might be denied and 10 minutes later able to log in.This includes my administrative account.Error says server not available to validate account or sometimes invalid password.These have been stable networks for 4 or 5 years.Exactly what protocol takes place between workstation and server at log in request? Alwaysable to ping successfully. Have internet access, but not able to log on to lan.

9 replies

by gigelul

You checked your number of client licenses (ACL) and the type (per seat or per server)?

by curlergirl

It sounds like you may be starting to have some hardware problems - either NIC or hub/switch related. Even though you can always ping, a faulty network card is one of the prime reasons for intermittent ability to log in. The card may be able to respond at the basic ICMP level, but not at higher levels. You need to do more testing and troubleshooting to determine if the problem exists only at one or two workstations, on a particular segment or segment(s) of the network, or is more widespread.If it's intermittent and confined to only a few workstations, then it's probably the workstation NIC(s). If it's confined to one segment, then it's probably the hub or switch on that segment. If it's widespread over workstations and segments, thenit's probably at the server level - try changing out the server NIC(s). You could also check to see if other servers on the network have any trouble maintaining their browse lists and/or synchronizing between the PDC and/or BDCs. This could indicate where the problem lies when you have multiple authenticating servers on the same network. Hope this helps!

by lmoore26101

This helped.I traced down the problem area to a fibre fed baystack 303 switch.I now trying to determine if its the fibre modile or the switch itself that's faulty at times.

by calle lindström

Try search event logs,if there is something about
dhcp server errors.
When you get server not available error,
open start - run and type winipcfg, clik clear all
and renew all, and try log on, if yuo can, you have a dhcp server problem.

by lmoore26101

Running winipcfg always renews the ip address, but doesn't always allow me to log on.Sometimes I get an erroneuos subnet mask.Thank you for answering.

by calle lindström

Try search event logs,if there is something about
dhcp server errors.
When you get server not available error,
open start - run and type winipcfg, clik clear all
and renew all, and try log on, if yuo can, you have a dhcp server problem.

This discussion is closed to new replies.