Domain controller not found issues

[Dave Peno]

We are getting a strange problem. Computers connected to
the network take a long time to boot up, but if not
connected boot up quickly. This happens on most of the
computers in the office. I figured it was a server/network
problem not a virus or PC specific problem. I noticed in
the event logs that we get the following error every 5
minutes or so.

"Windows cannot obtain the domain controller name for your
computer network. Return value (59)."

The domain controller and backup domain controller have
not changed recently and the domain controller name apears
to be correct. Our workstations use DHCP and we do not
have WINS running.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

 

[Guest]

Win2k or 2003 with AD?
NT4 domain?

Why no WINS?

I believe both need WINS to resolve DC names.

Using Netbios over IP with no WINS works fo workgroups,
but I doubt for DC domains.

 

[Marina Roos]

Does the ipconfig/all from the clients show that everything is pointing to
the server-IP? How many nics in the server?

Marina

 

[Jeff Cochran]

We are getting a strange problem. Computers connected to
the network take a long time to boot up, but if not
connected boot up quickly. This happens on most of the
computers in the office. I figured it was a server/network
problem not a virus or PC specific problem. I noticed in
the event logs that we get the following error every 5
minutes or so.

"Windows cannot obtain the domain controller name for your
computer network. Return value (59)."

The domain controller and backup domain controller have
not changed recently and the domain controller name apears
to be correct. Our workstations use DHCP and we do not
have WINS running.

The PDC/BDC designation is a NetBIOS issue, and WINS would help there.
You don't specify your operating systems or network environment, so
it's not easy to guess at possible solutions, but if for some reason
broadcast is no longer resolving the domain controllers and you don't
use WINS or LMHOSTS, you could see the effect you're getting.

Jeff

 

[Guest]

Sorry for the lack of information. We are using a WIN2000
server and WIN2000 workstations. We are not using WINS
because the previous systems admin did not install it. I
am taking over his job. I am starting to think is a WINS
issue, I will install WINS and see what happens. Thanks
everyone.

Dave