Can't Join Domain?

[Tom Lake]

We have a network of 40 workstations and a Win 2000 Server.
When I took over this job all machines were in a workgroup.
I created a domain and made our file server the sole DC
on the network. The problem is some machines refuse
to join the domain at all. Some will join after trying 20 - 30 times.
DHCP is working fine and I can map to server directories
from workstations just fine so I know the physical connections
are good. Why would a machine refuse to join several times
with a "domain cannot be contacted" error then suddenly
join with no problem?

TIA

Tom Lake

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

We have a network of 40 workstations and a Win 2000 Server.
When I took over this job all machines were in a workgroup.
I created a domain and made our file server the sole DC
on the network. The problem is some machines refuse
to join the domain at all. Some will join after trying 20 - 30 times.
DHCP is working fine and I can map to server directories
from workstations just fine so I know the physical connections
are good. Why would a machine refuse to join several times
with a "domain cannot be contacted" error then suddenly
join with no problem?

TIA

Tom Lake

This can happen with some virus scanners. Try disabling
the virus scanner before attempting to join the domain.

 

[Tom Lake]

Tom Lake

This can happen with some virus scanners. Try disabling
the virus scanner before attempting to join the domain.

Thanks! We have Norman (NOT Norton!) virus scanner
on all machines. I'll try it without the scanner active tomorrow
and let you know.

Tom Lake

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Sounds like a DNS issue. Domain clients should be getting their sole DNS
server address from the domain, then the domain DNS should be resolving
outside addresses.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Tom Lake]

Sounds like a DNS issue. Domain clients should be getting their sole DNS
server address from the domain, then the domain DNS should be resolving
outside addresses.

The workstation name has no DNS server address associated with it before I
try to
join the domain. How do I ensure that they're getting their DNS server
address from
the domain only and that DNS is resolving outside addresses? Thanks for
your help!

Tom Lake

 

[Richard G. Harper]

The easy way to get the right DNS server address to all clients would be to
make sure that the DHCP server in the domain is giving out your DNS server
address to all clients requesting an address. The hard way would be to
manually configure the address to each PC before trying to join the domain.
As for configuring a DNS server, start here:

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/en/Library/74fa4083-ed3f-434d-a743-3743c64f68741033.mspx

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm