Strange DNS behaviour

[MarkW-VA]

I have an Active Directory domain (Server 2003 r2) with three AD integrated
DNS servers, x.x.x.85, x.x.x.87, and x.x.x.95. Most XP workstations are
configured for 95 and 85 but they query 85 only. For instance if I use
nslookup it shows x.x.x.85 as the server it's working against, even if the 85
server isn't one of the entries in the network setup. This isn't a problem
until I take down 85 for maintanence. When I do that all XP boxes lose the
ability to resolve names. Anyone have an idea of what's going on and how I
can make these XP machines go to their secondary server when the primary
isn't available?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Bob Lin \(MS-MVP\)]

Try these:

1. run nslookup and make sure you don't have any errors.
2. Switch the DNS to 95, for example server x.x.x.95.
3. enter a web site and press enter. Do you see any errors?

Or post back with the result of ipconfig /all here.

--
Bob Lin, Microsoft-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com