New install "Cannot contact DNS server"

[Cervantes]

Hi!
I have an existing domain, with an existing server that we'll call Acheron. I'm wanting to migrate to a new server that we'll call Charon.
I did a full install (Win2kAS) on Charon, patched it up, got it all ready, ran DCPROMO with no problems. I started enabling all the services I want to run (WINS, DNS, DHCP, AD), and it was behaving fine until one reboot when it seemed to hang at "loading profile". I left it for 1/2 an hour and then rebooted, and it spent forever at "Preparing Network Connections"... I knew this was a DNS issue (my dns on Acheron is screwy anyways), so I let it do it's thing, and I went into DNS to clean up... but when I went in and added "This Computer", it said "The server is unavailable. Would you like to add it anyway?" If I do, it says "Cannot contact DNS Server" and Charon has a big red X through it.

I tried uninstalling DNS and reinstalling after reboot, I get the same thing. I changed the DNS entry on Charons TCP/IP to point to Acheron, and I can browse Acheron DNS just fine... but everything I try to get DNS on Charon fails. The event log says it started, if I use the command prompt to net stop/start dns it says it's working, it just won't work in an MMC console.

What am I missing? Has anyone run into this before? Suggestions appreciated!!

Thanks,
Cerv

 

[bcardona]

yes and actually believe it or not, the disc was actually corrupt, installed win2k fine, ran fine, but when we installed any other services, AD, whatever, there was corrupted files that caused that exact scenario you have, used another disc and everything works, this may or may not be your problem, but figured i would mention it.

 

[ITPangaeaArchitect]

with win2k...ensure you have latest 893066 installed

I have seen mcafee, etrust, and symantec products all cause this problem...oh and bindview

get msconfig of an XP or 2003 server (msconfig.exe) and copy it to the problem server into the system32 directory.

run msconfig and go to services tab...check box for "hide all MS services" and then click select all button...then reboot
install DNS (if its currently uninstalled) and then check in the console...problem still happening?

more often than not this is caused by 3rd party services.

i have also seen it due to gigabit NICs however...in which case drop back to 100mbps/full on teh NIC and the switch its connected to.

-Brandon Wilson
MCSE00/03, MCSA:Messaging, MCSA03, A+
almost got a paragraph there

 

[Cervantes]

Hi;
Thanks for the comments folks!

Ok, near as I can figure, the problem was that Charon didn't properly create DNS records on Acheron when it was created. I don't know exactly why that would stop DNS on Charon from loading, even with the network cable unplugged... but, I rebuilt the DNS records on Acheron, did a bunch of /fix es, waited overnight... and poof, it was working with properly replicated DNS records.
So.... I guess the gremlins got bored and left