domain controller could not be contacted

[waylander786]

Hi,
i am trying to add a computer to our domain and it is showing the following error message: "a domain controller for this domain could not be contacted" I can ping the domain controller ip address but not ping the name. TCP/IP settings is obtain ip adress (it has a valid ip address)and dns server both automatically.

any help will be greatly appreciated. domain is windows 2003. client machine is XP pro

 

[pagy]

Assuming that your domain controller is running DNS for your system then your XP machine should be pointing to the DC for DNS name resolution. If you are using DHCP ensure that you are giving out your DC IP address under DHCP option 006 DNS Servers.

Paul
MCSE


"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein

 

[nevets2001uk]

Yep. Sounds like a DNS issue to me. If it's not resolving the name than it's probably not finding DNS and without DNS it will not be able to locate the SRV records for the DC.

Steve G (MCSE / MCSA:Messaging)

 

[waylander786]

Thanks guys,
i have checked the settings and they seem fine, all machines are pointing to the PDC, this has happened since our network crashed last week. It was caused by a faulty hub which has been removed. but since the network is back up again, there are various intermittent problems now all related to the domain controller. Another machine had the same problem but a simple reboot resolved it. Some users complained about slow log in times and slowness in accessing resources from the file server. We're a charity so our network set up involves pcs connected to hubs and sharing the network point instead of installing individual points for each. the file server and domain controller are also connected this way, would it be better to replace the hub with a small switch? and do i need crossover to connect the switch to the network point?