Windows 7: Cannot Join NT4 Domain

Hello all...

I just installed build 7000 and I'm having issues connecting to my domain at work. I cannot setup my Outlook account either because my network exchange server is NT4 based.

I have tried setting up my account via Outlook and via the "Mail" portion of Control Panel to no avail...

Any workarounds that anyone can spare?

Did it work on the previous build you were using? I know that it's a huge pain to get a NT4 machine onto a 2k3+ domain. I've never tried using a newer machine to join a domain older than the client (except for XP clients to a 2k domain). Also, to get Vista to join a NT4 domain, you have to lower the security requirements. Another way around that I used in XP when it wouldn't play nice was to, instead of changing the PC's friendly name, I would go to the Network ID button and run thru the wizard. If it atleast finds the DC, then the wizard should work every time.

Quote from Joining NT Domain
"Under Local Policies > Security Options

Change the value of "Network Security: [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]LAN[/COLOR][/COLOR] Manager authentication level"
from "NTVLM2 responses only" to "LM and NTLM - use NTLMv2 session security
if negotiated"

Note that I last tried this with build 5384. Newer builds may need a
different fix.
"

I tweaked my GP settings for said item and still no luck...I'll play around with a few more GP tweaks...

Here's specifically what I am receiving
------------------------------------
1. I access the System interface via Windows Key + Pause Break
2. I click on "Change Settings"
3. I click on "Network ID"
4. acknowledge that the PC is part of business with domain
5. enter credentials via UNC...DOMAIN\username
6. Windows cannot find an account for your computer in the domain...
7. Enter computer name and domain
8. Enter credentials for user to add user to domain
9. dialog box appears - "Your computer could not be joined to the domain because the following error has occurred: The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted."

The domain DOES EXIST (lol), therefore, there has to be an issue with the ability of my OS to communicate/authenticate with the NT4 server

I have also tweaked my IPv4 settings via properties for my LAN connection via Network Connections...Entered DNS address, WINS addresses, enabled NetBIOS over TCP/IP...No dice...

I can ping what I need, but I cannot gain access.

Thanks for any and all help/suggestions/comments.

Do you have any VLANS set up? Are you sure you're on the same switch? It is also very possibly that Microsoft is dropping NT4 support fully.

Also, Exchange Server 2007 can not be installed in a NT4 domain, nor can Server 2008. It's very very likely Windows 7 will not either.

there are no VLAN's (I have virtual machines on my PC, but that has nothing to do with my problem ) and I am on the domain/network switch that is designated for my department at work...I can ping and access folders BUT I cannot join the domain or setup my Exchange account...

I DO have permission to join users to the domain, as I have done via 2000, XP and Vista Ultimate...I also have my Vista Ultimate setup as a domain member and with my Outlook client properly configured.

My current work around is a virtual machine with XP installed...

I have my outlook setup via the virtual box with no problems

I can also use the virtual box for VPN connection if needed

Cheers