VeeVan
asked on
Domain controller could not be contacted
I have a new computer that I am attempting to connect to my server. -- Actually, it's an old(er) computer that has had the hard-drive formatted and I am connecting it to my server. (Windows Small Business Server 2003)
Whenever I attempt to connect to the domain I get the "domain controller could not be contacted" error message.
I can ping my DC without any challenges -- every once in a while I will get a missed packet, but for the most part, the ping works.
I can't connect to anything over the internet either, and I am totally unsure of what the problem is. I'm baffled. I am using DHCP, so I have not assigned the IP address or anything like that. I have three other computers connected to the DC, and they are working just fine.
The computer worked fine before at the other workstation.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Veronica
Whenever I attempt to connect to the domain I get the "domain controller could not be contacted" error message.
I can ping my DC without any challenges -- every once in a while I will get a missed packet, but for the most part, the ping works.
I can't connect to anything over the internet either, and I am totally unsure of what the problem is. I'm baffled. I am using DHCP, so I have not assigned the IP address or anything like that. I have three other computers connected to the DC, and they are working just fine.
The computer worked fine before at the other workstation.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Veronica
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ASKER
I know it's a DNS problem. It has to be. Can't be anythign else. I checked t he location with another machine, and the other machine worked great, so it's not hardware.
I am using Windows Server 2003 for my DHCP. I haven't changed anything, and it was working fine before, but who knows, now.... Not sure how to check and make sure that it is correct. I also tried restarting the router and the modem and the server.
Here are the results of IPCONFIG /ALL
Windows IP Configuration:
HostName: PLAYROOM
Primary DNS Suffix:
NodeType: Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled: No
WINS Proxy Enabled: No
Ethernet Adaptor Local Area Connection:
Connection Specific DNS Suffix: DVDCONSULTING.LOCAL
Description: Intel 21140-Basen PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor - Generic
Physical Address: 00-C0-F0-31-18-83
DHCP Enabled: Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled: Yes
IP Address: 192.168.16.20
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Primary gateway: 192.168.16.2
DHCP Server: 192.168.16.2
DNS Server: 192.168.16.2
Primary WINS Server: 192.168.16.2
Lease Obtained: Sunday May 1, 2005 9:40:06 PM
Lease Expires: Monday May 9, 2005 9:40:06 PM
I am unfortunately a networking novice. (I'm a programmer) so any help would ge greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Vee
I am using Windows Server 2003 for my DHCP. I haven't changed anything, and it was working fine before, but who knows, now.... Not sure how to check and make sure that it is correct. I also tried restarting the router and the modem and the server.
Here are the results of IPCONFIG /ALL
Windows IP Configuration:
HostName: PLAYROOM
Primary DNS Suffix:
NodeType: Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled: No
WINS Proxy Enabled: No
Ethernet Adaptor Local Area Connection:
Connection Specific DNS Suffix: DVDCONSULTING.LOCAL
Description: Intel 21140-Basen PCI Fast Ethernet Adaptor - Generic
Physical Address: 00-C0-F0-31-18-83
DHCP Enabled: Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled: Yes
IP Address: 192.168.16.20
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Primary gateway: 192.168.16.2
DHCP Server: 192.168.16.2
DNS Server: 192.168.16.2
Primary WINS Server: 192.168.16.2
Lease Obtained: Sunday May 1, 2005 9:40:06 PM
Lease Expires: Monday May 9, 2005 9:40:06 PM
I am unfortunately a networking novice. (I'm a programmer) so any help would ge greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Vee
ASKER
Client is XP Pro SP1.
V
V
Hmmm
Looks like you have configured dhcp if the dns option. Make sure that the DNS server is at the address 192.168.16.2 You said that you had a router on your network, if so you should change the gateway ip the the router unless the server is acting as a NAT/Firewall. I would recommend trying to ping an out side internet address to make sure we are dealing with DNS. Try ping 203.56.23.1 and if that works then try ping istnet.net.au. Its a ISP I setup for client.
Need to know a little bit more about the network setup like what switches, are they managed, different subnets, how are you connecting to the internet whats the equipment, What yours IP scheme (ie what IP address belongs to what system)
Firstly let make sure its a DNS issue by ping out to the internet.
Looks like you have configured dhcp if the dns option. Make sure that the DNS server is at the address 192.168.16.2 You said that you had a router on your network, if so you should change the gateway ip the the router unless the server is acting as a NAT/Firewall. I would recommend trying to ping an out side internet address to make sure we are dealing with DNS. Try ping 203.56.23.1 and if that works then try ping istnet.net.au. Its a ISP I setup for client.
Need to know a little bit more about the network setup like what switches, are they managed, different subnets, how are you connecting to the internet whats the equipment, What yours IP scheme (ie what IP address belongs to what system)
Firstly let make sure its a DNS issue by ping out to the internet.
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ASKER
I was able to ping the outside site. -- I did lose one packet, but it was able to connect -- I can't get to anything in Internet Explorer, however.
I have one Server: Windows 2003 SBS
I have one wireless switch/router with 4 ports and a LAN port -- I have DHCP disabled in the switch/router
I have one additional switch/router/modem -- also with DHCP disabled.
The server has two network cards. One is plugged into the modem, and one is plugged into the router. I have the firewall feature in SBS turned on. I only have the one subnet. -- it's really a very simple little network.
The interesting thing is I installed another new computer about two weeks ago, and it worked swimmingly. Plugged it in, joined the domain, and running. Quick and easy. Now this one just won't seem to work.
The DNS server is at the address listed. It's all part of SBS.
Thanks.
V
I have one Server: Windows 2003 SBS
I have one wireless switch/router with 4 ports and a LAN port -- I have DHCP disabled in the switch/router
I have one additional switch/router/modem -- also with DHCP disabled.
The server has two network cards. One is plugged into the modem, and one is plugged into the router. I have the firewall feature in SBS turned on. I only have the one subnet. -- it's really a very simple little network.
The interesting thing is I installed another new computer about two weeks ago, and it worked swimmingly. Plugged it in, joined the domain, and running. Quick and easy. Now this one just won't seem to work.
The DNS server is at the address listed. It's all part of SBS.
Thanks.
V
Why don't you add the IPconfig /all of your Inside (Private LAN) Ethernet Adaptor Local Area Connection of the server here too... just so we can see both sides...
ASKER
Microsoft Windows [Version 5.2.3790]
(C) Copyright 1985-2003 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>ipc
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : dvdserver
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : DVDCONSULTING.LOCAL
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : DVDCONSULTING.LOCAL
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SMC EZ Card 10/100 (SMC1255TX-PF)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-E2-92-13-66
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : ISP IP ADDRESS
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ISP Gateway
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
Ethernet adapter Server Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet
NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-E0-7D-83-E8-4D
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
(C) Copyright 1985-2003 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>ipc
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : dvdserver
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : DVDCONSULTING.LOCAL
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : DVDCONSULTING.LOCAL
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SMC EZ Card 10/100 (SMC1255TX-PF)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-E2-92-13-66
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : ISP IP ADDRESS
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ISP Gateway
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
Ethernet adapter Server Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet
NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-E0-7D-83-E8-4D
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
ASKER
I haven't been having any other problems on the server. It's been setup for about a year now. This is the first challenge I've really had trying to add a new machine to it.
And i'm sorry for my ignorance, but I don't know how to run any of the diagnostic tests...Could you elaborate just a little on how to run them?
Thanks.
V
And i'm sorry for my ignorance, but I don't know how to run any of the diagnostic tests...Could you elaborate just a little on how to run them?
Thanks.
V
This page has links to all three tests..
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/library/TechRef/1d4ce93c-54f2-4069-a708-251509c38837.mspx
I don't see anything wrong with the configurations though.. The first thing I would do is to take the inside router out of the mix and try directly connecting the client to the Server, either using a switch or hub, or a cross-over cable.. That would eliminate a lot of questions regarding your network..
BTW: I take it that your router is not actually setup as a router, since both sides of the router contain the same subnet.. Still, take it out of the picture and see what happens..
FE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/library/TechRef/1d4ce93c-54f2-4069-a708-251509c38837.mspx
I don't see anything wrong with the configurations though.. The first thing I would do is to take the inside router out of the mix and try directly connecting the client to the Server, either using a switch or hub, or a cross-over cable.. That would eliminate a lot of questions regarding your network..
BTW: I take it that your router is not actually setup as a router, since both sides of the router contain the same subnet.. Still, take it out of the picture and see what happens..
FE
ASKER
I ran both NetDiag and DCDiag, and it passed on all accounts. The only thing that was even remotely questionable was the following on NetDiag:
It appears I don't have a Gateway defined for one of my ethernet adaptors, but when I reviewed the setup of my server, there isn't supposed to be one on that network card. (apparently??)
Per interface results:
Adapter : Server Local Area Connection
Netcard queries test . . . : Passed
Host Name. . . . . . . . . : dvdserver
IP Address . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
Subnet Mask. . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway. . . . . . :
Primary WINS Server. . . . : 192.168.16.2
Dns Servers. . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
AutoConfiguration results. . . . . . : Passed
Default gateway test . . . : Skipped
[WARNING] No gateways defined for this adapter.
NetBT name test. . . . . . : Passed
No remote names have been found.
WINS service test. . . . . : Passed
Adapter : Local Area Connection
Netcard queries test . . . : Passed
Host Name. . . . . . . . . : dvdserver
IP Address . . . . . . . . : ISP IP Address
Subnet Mask. . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway. . . . . . : ISP Gateway
NetBIOS over Tcpip . . . . : Disabled
Dns Servers. . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
AutoConfiguration results. . . . . . : Passed
Default gateway test . . . : Passed
NetBT name test. . . . . . : Skipped
NetBT is disabled on this interface. [Test skipped]
WINS service test. . . . . : Skipped
NetBT is disable on this interface. [Test skipped].
Global results:
Domain membership test . . . . . . : Passed
NetBT transports test. . . . . . . : Passed
List of NetBt transports currently configured:
NetBT_Tcpip_{77B8B2BB-A72B
1 NetBt transport currently configured.
Autonet address test . . . . . . . : Passed
IP loopback ping test. . . . . . . : Passed
Default gateway test . . . . . . . : Passed
NetBT name test. . . . . . . . . . : Passed
Domain membership test . . . . . . : Passed
NetBT transports test. . . . . . . : Passed
List of NetBt transports currently configured:
NetBT_Tcpip_{77B8B2BB-A72B
1 NetBt transport currently configured.
Autonet address test . . . . . . . : Passed
IP loopback ping test. . . . . . . : Passed
Default gateway test . . . . . . . : Passed
NetBT name test. . . . . . . . . . : Passed
Winsock test . . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
DNS test . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
PASS - All the DNS entries for DC are registered on DNS server '192.168.16.2
' and other DCs also have some of the names registered.
Redir and Browser test . . . . . . : Passed
List of NetBt transports currently bound to the Redir
NetBT_Tcpip_{77B8B2BB-A72B
The redir is bound to 1 NetBt transport.
List of NetBt transports currently bound to the browser
NetBT_Tcpip_{77B8B2BB-A72B
The browser is bound to 1 NetBt transport.
DC discovery test. . . . . . . . . : Passed
DC list test . . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
Trust relationship test. . . . . . : Skipped
Kerberos test. . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
LDAP test. . . . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
Bindings test. . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
WAN configuration test . . . . . . : Skipped
No active remote access connections.
Modem diagnostics test . . . . . . : Passed
IP Security test . . . . . . . . . : Skipped
Note: run "netsh ipsec dynamic show /?" for more detailed information
The command completed successfully
It appears I don't have a Gateway defined for one of my ethernet adaptors, but when I reviewed the setup of my server, there isn't supposed to be one on that network card. (apparently??)
Per interface results:
Adapter : Server Local Area Connection
Netcard queries test . . . : Passed
Host Name. . . . . . . . . : dvdserver
IP Address . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
Subnet Mask. . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway. . . . . . :
Primary WINS Server. . . . : 192.168.16.2
Dns Servers. . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
AutoConfiguration results. . . . . . : Passed
Default gateway test . . . : Skipped
[WARNING] No gateways defined for this adapter.
NetBT name test. . . . . . : Passed
No remote names have been found.
WINS service test. . . . . : Passed
Adapter : Local Area Connection
Netcard queries test . . . : Passed
Host Name. . . . . . . . . : dvdserver
IP Address . . . . . . . . : ISP IP Address
Subnet Mask. . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway. . . . . . : ISP Gateway
NetBIOS over Tcpip . . . . : Disabled
Dns Servers. . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2
AutoConfiguration results. . . . . . : Passed
Default gateway test . . . : Passed
NetBT name test. . . . . . : Skipped
NetBT is disabled on this interface. [Test skipped]
WINS service test. . . . . : Skipped
NetBT is disable on this interface. [Test skipped].
Global results:
Domain membership test . . . . . . : Passed
NetBT transports test. . . . . . . : Passed
List of NetBt transports currently configured:
NetBT_Tcpip_{77B8B2BB-A72B
1 NetBt transport currently configured.
Autonet address test . . . . . . . : Passed
IP loopback ping test. . . . . . . : Passed
Default gateway test . . . . . . . : Passed
NetBT name test. . . . . . . . . . : Passed
Domain membership test . . . . . . : Passed
NetBT transports test. . . . . . . : Passed
List of NetBt transports currently configured:
NetBT_Tcpip_{77B8B2BB-A72B
1 NetBt transport currently configured.
Autonet address test . . . . . . . : Passed
IP loopback ping test. . . . . . . : Passed
Default gateway test . . . . . . . : Passed
NetBT name test. . . . . . . . . . : Passed
Winsock test . . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
DNS test . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
PASS - All the DNS entries for DC are registered on DNS server '192.168.16.2
' and other DCs also have some of the names registered.
Redir and Browser test . . . . . . : Passed
List of NetBt transports currently bound to the Redir
NetBT_Tcpip_{77B8B2BB-A72B
The redir is bound to 1 NetBt transport.
List of NetBt transports currently bound to the browser
NetBT_Tcpip_{77B8B2BB-A72B
The browser is bound to 1 NetBt transport.
DC discovery test. . . . . . . . . : Passed
DC list test . . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
Trust relationship test. . . . . . : Skipped
Kerberos test. . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
LDAP test. . . . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
Bindings test. . . . . . . . . . . : Passed
WAN configuration test . . . . . . : Skipped
No active remote access connections.
Modem diagnostics test . . . . . . : Passed
IP Security test . . . . . . . . . : Skipped
Note: run "netsh ipsec dynamic show /?" for more detailed information
The command completed successfully
Correct, you only specify one Gateway when running a multi-homed (dual-NIC) system.. Try taking that router out of the mix and see what happens..
ASKER
I'm not totally certain how to do that.... All my other computers are working fine, and I can't necessarily take them offline.
The server is plugged into both the modem and the router. All the other computers are just plugged into the router -- should I plug everything into the modem??
Sorry again for the ignorance. I just want to make sure I'm doing this right.
V
The server is plugged into both the modem and the router. All the other computers are just plugged into the router -- should I plug everything into the modem??
Sorry again for the ignorance. I just want to make sure I'm doing this right.
V
you can plug them into the modem if it contains a 4 port switch or otherwise you will need another switch or hub. From what i can see the config looks fine. You said you could ping the outside internet address, was that by ip address AND name or just ip address?
ASKER
Both. By Name and by IP. Obviously names are resolving. I don't think it's a problem with the router, as other PC's are working fine, and when I plugged a laptop into that port, I was able to connect to the network without any problems....
Could it be a problem with the network card on the machine, maybe?? I know it was working fine a couple of weeks ago, but I suppose that's no guarantee that it's working fine now.
I will try plugging directly into the modem to diagnose, though...
Will get back in a few minutes.
V
Could it be a problem with the network card on the machine, maybe?? I know it was working fine a couple of weeks ago, but I suppose that's no guarantee that it's working fine now.
I will try plugging directly into the modem to diagnose, though...
Will get back in a few minutes.
V
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I can't find any other PC's because they are on the domain, and I can't even get that one setup on the domain. (Everytime I try I get a domain controller error.)
Interestingly, I can see this computer from other computers in Network Neighborhood, but instead of being under the DVD Domain, it's under "Workgroup"
This is getting really funky.
Also, still can't get to anything with internet explorer on that PC. If I look in the status bar, it finds the IP address, and then loads, and loads and loads and loads and eventually times out.
I am goign to try replacing the network card.....
Who knows.
Interestingly, I can see this computer from other computers in Network Neighborhood, but instead of being under the DVD Domain, it's under "Workgroup"
This is getting really funky.
Also, still can't get to anything with internet explorer on that PC. If I look in the status bar, it finds the IP address, and then loads, and loads and loads and loads and eventually times out.
I am goign to try replacing the network card.....
Who knows.
ASKER
Eureka!!
The network card did it. I guess between the space of unplugging, formatting, and replugging, the network card went bad.
Jeez. And to think I've been messing around with this since 3:00 yesterday. Heck of a way to spend your Sunday afternoon.
Thanks for all your help.
I am goign to split points since you all have me some awesome diagnostic tools and helped me to rule out DNS and other challenges.
Thanks.
Vee
The network card did it. I guess between the space of unplugging, formatting, and replugging, the network card went bad.
Jeez. And to think I've been messing around with this since 3:00 yesterday. Heck of a way to spend your Sunday afternoon.
Thanks for all your help.
I am goign to split points since you all have me some awesome diagnostic tools and helped me to rule out DNS and other challenges.
Thanks.
Vee
*grin* Therefore the reason I always carry a box of NICs with me at all times!
Thanks, and glad you found it!
FE
Thanks, and glad you found it!
FE
ASKER
You know, I keep about four of them in the supply closet, cuz they die so often -- especially here in the sunshine (or lightning) state.
Should have known better!!
V
Should have known better!!
V
ecszone is right send the results of ipconfig /all and tell us which each ip address assigned too. check to make sure that the dns option is properly set in your dhcp options. What are you using for dhcp?