Joining an NT domain

[eludlow]

I've installed W7 Enterprise Full and am trying to join an old NT4 domain. Keep getting the error:

"Your computer couldn't not be joined to the domain because the following error has occurred: the specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted"

Now a quick Google reveals several threads about this, some which are resolved, some which aren't.

Found this: Just to mention that the issue has been solved... secpol.msc ---> Microsoft network client: Send unencrypted password to connect to third-party SMB servers set to enabled and voila

But it hasn't worked for me. Is there a definitive answer? Worked fine for Vista...

Thanks in advance,
Ed Ludlow

 

[H2SO4]

It may not be possible, or if it is possible you'd have to deactivate so much security on the win 7 box that it may as well be Win3.11.

Are any of the DCs on the same segment? Pre-AD BDCs advertise their presence by registering themselves in the 0x1C group in WINS, in addition to the unique 0x1B registration for the PDC. If your win7 box is not within broadcast range, you'd need either WINS (*shudder*) or an LMHOSTS file.

A packet trace is the best way to troubleshoot network interop issues (www.wireshark.com). If you generate a trace of the failed domain join attempt, zip it up, and upload it here, someone may be able to spot the problem.

 

[eludlow]

OK thanks. It's actually not the end of the world at all. In fact it may even a blessing in disguise as I can convince colleague he really should ditch his NT box!

Thanks,
Ed

 

[sunshine]

I am getting the same error trying to connect my Windows 7 PRO laptop to our NT4 domain. "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 laptop is plugged into the network and has an IP on our network, I can ping other servers and PCs on our network from the Windows 7 laptop but I can not ping the laptop from other PCs on our network. I tried to find the settings to allow incoming echo requests and was unable to locate where I could change this. Please help.

 

[patwhatsthat]

The reason for this error is usually a DNS issue. I would assume that DNS is being handled by your PDC (domain controller) or perhaps a backup domain controller for your local domain. Please make sure that your DNS on the Win7 computer reflects the IP address of the local DNS server and let me know if this helps.
It doesn't look good from Microsoft's perspective see this link http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee681706%28WS.10%29.aspx
Although not supported doesn't necessarily mean impossible...Vista wasn't supported either and it would still work.

 

[sunshine]

Yes, the IP is one from the local network that I am trying to connect to. I was afraid of the compatibility issue, we went through this with the few Vista PCs we have, but were able to work around most of the issues there. I can downgrade to XP for now. We plan to goto AD in the near future so hopefully we can upgrade after that with no problems. If you find a work around though, I would love to know what it is. Thanks again.