Computer Management

[Guest]

I have a Windows XP box that I have added to the Domain. However, when I
attempt to manage that box from AD it tells me the workstation does not
exist. I've attempted to remove the workstation from the domain and re-add
it and still won't allow me to manage it. It tells me the computer does not
exist. Any suggestions?

 

[Herb Martin]

If the computer has never authenticated with the domain
this might account for it.

Most likely reason for this (failure to authenticate) is a DNS
problem.

(Of course, it is possible you created the domain computer
account but never actually went to the machine and joined it
to the domain -- but I doubt it is that obvious or youwould have
found it by now.)

DNS
1) Dynamic for the zone supporting AD
2) All internal DNS clients NIC\IP properties must specify SOLELY
that internal, dynamic DNS server (set.)
3) DCs and even DNS servers are DNS clients too -- see #2

Restart NetLogon on any DC if you change any of the above that
affects a DC.

Ensure that DNS zones/domains are fully replicated to all DNS
servers for that (internal) zone/domain.

Go to the machine, check the above, then boot it if necessary and
see if it is actually authenticating with a DC of the domain.

The environment variable "LogonServer" is likely sufficient but
you can use the nltest.exe from the Support tools if you wish
more control/definitive answer.

It's likely the DNS issue though; so fixing that will likely fix
the problem by the next boot of the workstation.

 

[Paul Hadfield]

or you have installed XP SP2 and the firewall is on by default preventing
your server from establishing any connection to the xp box

 

[Andrei Ungureanu]

try using the ip address instead of computer name to see if it's a DNS
problem.

 

[Herb Martin]

try using the ip address instead of computer name to see if it's a DNS
problem.

Good idea, but note that this will only eliminate
name resolution problems of the CLIENT machine
and not the more likely issues with DNS in
general.