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user cannot log on to server

I am absolutely stifled - I cannot log on to the SBS server from a computer.
I can ping the server and even managed to change the computer name from the client pc using the admin account.
I've since tried logging on to the domain and cannot with any user including admin account.
I get an error message 'windows cannot connect to the domain, either because the domain controller is down or otherwise unavailable, or because your computer account was not found. Please try again later. If this message continues to appear, contact your system administrator for assistance'
Have added the ip address of the SBS server to the lmhosts file and still no joy.
PLEASE CAN SOMEONE HELP URGENTLY.
I AM NOT IN TOMORROW AND THIS DIRECTOR HAS TO LOG ON IN THE MORNING...
(it's now 7:45pm UK time and I'd like to leave soon...ish)

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Hypercat (Deb)

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candicewebb

ASKER

Thanks - I did check all setting and all were correct and I could ping the SBS server by IP and by name.
I just ended up removing the pc from the domain and then rejoining (without deleting the computer account) and all seemed to work.
I have no idea what went wrong - would love some more insight if anyone has any..!?!

I'm slowly but surely understanding more of SBS but heck it can be temporamental!

I'll soon be posting a few more things as I get the server error free...

Thanks a stack :)

candicewebb

ASKER

Thank you Jeff.
When I set the SBS up and joined computers to the domain, I had loads of problems where using http://<servername>/connectcomputer - some computers just did not load the page, so I had to join most of them manually (which would possibly explain certain functions that are not available in SBS).
My huge initial problem was that I set my network domain name the same as the actual <domainname>.com and have been told that will cause a lot of hassle and conflicts...
Can you rename the network domain without having to reinstall SBS? As far as I can remember, you cannot - you need to reinstall...
I may have to consider that option next year to be able to use SBS to it's full potential.
The main function we are using is outlook exchange and file sharing. I don't suppose I would be able to back up exchange and then reinstall SBS and reinstate exchange from backup - the domain name will be different and the exchange mailboxes will be pointing to same 'name' accounts but have different IDs.
There are only around 20 users, so not too bad - can just save all their mail into a pst file and reinstall SBS. Try a fresh start with the server..
When reconnecting the client computers to the domain via http://<servername>/connectcomputer - if some come up with 'page cannot be displayed' - what other checks can I do. At the time I checked all my client settings were correct eg DHCP enabled, DNS to point to server and on some pc's I still got the error (which is why I manually joined them)??
Also, when all of current profile has been backed up, should I delete any 'old' profiles for the previous domain name and create new profiles for the new domain name? would seem like a good thing to do.. to clean up!?!
I followed the MS SBS manual when I set it up originally but a few things were ambiguos, so I ended up reinstallinmg about 3 times before actually getting it to work! Are there any simple instructions to follow (especially about naming your server) - I am assuming from naming my network domain name the same as our actual domain, I had to manually amend the local email addresses..
Any 'other' instruction manual or blogs re installing SBS would be a great help.
Thanks a stack.

candicewebb

ASKER

Thanks a stack, Jeff.
That may instill some of my confidence back in SBS...