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saunaG

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DNS Server in W2k3 lists only XP PCs, not NT PCs

I have a Windows 2003 Server machine running in mixed mode.  The DNS server lists all the XP Pro PCs that are members of the domain and log into the domain.  However we also have NT4 workstation PCs (Service Pack 6) that domain members and log onto the domain but arent listed in DNS.

How can i get these computers to get listed in the DNS so they can be found by the PCs on the domain?

When i am in Active Directory Users and Computers and click on Properties of the PCs, the XP machines have values in the 'DNS Name' field, but this field is blank and cannot be edited for the NT4 workstation PCs.

Thanks,
Tom
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BungeIT

Are the NT4 Workstations set up with Static IP's or do you use DHCP?  If they're static, you probably just need to log in with local administrator rights in order to edit the field and add the DNS Server entry.  If it's DHCP, check your scope options to make sure that the DNS information is included.
If you use DHCP, open the DHCP MMC.  Right on the server and goto properties.  Goto the DNS tab.  There should be a checkbox to automatically update DHCP client information in DNS.  And a radio button to Always update DNS.  There should be another checkbox to enable updates for DNS clients that do not support dynamic update.  Check all of the above.  Now reboot an NT workstation or do an ipconfig /release and then an ipconfig /renew from a DOS window on the NT workstation.
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ASKER

in the dhcp manager i opened the server properties, went to dns settings and have everything checked off and the radio button for "always dynamically update DNS A and PTR records" checked too.

i restarted the DHCP server and then restarted a nt workstion and once it booted it still didnt appear as a dns record.

Tom,
be sure of the following:
* In the DNS Tab, in your Network Config...you must have both host name and domain defined.
* Also, add the Domain Suffix Search Order  to "yourdomain.com".
* Open the DHCP mmc/Properties/Advanced. There is a button there wich says "Credentials". In there you must put a domain trust account that DHCP will use to add records to DNS. My recommendation is to create an account in AD which must be part of both DNS/DHCP Admin groups.
Another thing:
If your domain is a dotted domain (i.e. yourdomain.com), there is an issue which can be corrected by adding this entry to the registry in those NT computers.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters]
"UpdateTopLevelDomainZones"=dword:00000001

I had the same problem even with W2K PCs, and after doing this, they started to appear in the DNS list.

* You can also set your DNS forward zone to allow secure & non-secure updates.
* There is another thing...which is to give the account "Pre-Windows 2000 Compatible Access" (which is part of AD) permissions to write and update records.
Hope it helps !
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ASKER

saintBA -thanks for the detailed instructions.  I have done what you suggested except that:
dont know how to:
 * Also, add the Domain Suffix Search Order  to "yourdomain.com".
and
* You can also set your DNS forward zone to allow secure & non-secure updates.

i have done the other things but still no luck.
as to the registry editing, i added the key you suggested but had to first add the Dnscache and Parameters 'folders' since they did not exist on the nt machine - then i added the dword value.

Tom
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SaintBA

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Sorry I have been ignoring this.  I just got back from holidays and will try this out today or tomorrow.