AD problem, something missing? 2

[sKiBa]

A few of my pc's have been rebooting lately, the only problem I can see in the eventviewer is a prob with group policy, here's a copy of the log.

Code:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Userenv
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1058
Date: 20/02/2004
Time: 1:18:27 PM
User: *********\*********
Computer: *******
Description:
Windows cannot access the file gpt.ini for GPO
CN={31B2F340-016D-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9},CN=Policies,CN=System,
DC=***,DC=*************,DC=com. The file must be present at the location
<\\***.*********.com\sysvol\***.**********.com\Policies\{31B2F340-016D-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini>. (The
system cannot find the path specified. ). Group Policy processing aborted. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
p.s. I don't think is causing the rebooting but would still like to fix it.
So i've checked the knowledge base and turned on DFS by adding the reg entry (it didn't exist) but that doesn't seem to have helped.

Now the numbers in the &quot;policies&quot; directory that it's looking for don't there so I have a feeling there may be a prob in Active Directory. Also I had a look at our other office where the setup is exactly the same, same users/policies and it has 5 folders in the policies folder? Is it easy for me to recreate the AD or am I going to have to reinstall 2kserv? I'm still studying for my MCSE hence slight newbness. Anyway, the rebooting I can live with for now, it's more the AD prob and GP not getting applied that i'm worried about.

Any input appreciated.

 

[mlichstein]

So if you go to c:\winnt\sysvol\sysvol\domainname\policies, you dont see anything there?

You should have at least two folders, one starting with 31B, and the other starting with 6AC. If you do not have these, you will need to call Microsoft PSS and get a tool to recreate them.

This tool is included in Windows Server 2003, but unfortunately does not work in 2000. You have to call to get the 2000 version.

 

[sKiBa]

nope, I have 2 folders but neither start with those letters. Is it possible I could copy them over from our other office, they are on that machine.

btw, what's pss?

 

[mlichstein]

Copying them will not work, since group policy consists of two parts: The Group Policy Template, and the Group Policy Container. The GPT is the file system portion of a policy, the folder in sysvol. The GPC is the AD portion of a policy.

PSS == Microsft Product Support Services.

 

[sKiBa]

thanks for your help mlichstein. I need some more experience so I would rather remake the AD. Would I have to reinstall 2kserv or is there some way of removing and reinstalling it? I'm going to play around with a test box today but would appreciate any help.

 

[mlichstein]

You dont need to format the box, you just need to run dcpromo to demote the server

 

[GlenJohnson]

On the computers re-booting, right click on my computer and select properties. At the bottom of the Advanced Tab is Startup and Recovery. Uncheck automatically re-boot, and just for jollies, select Small Memory Dump. You don't need a complete log file filling up your hard drive when you have problems. This should stop the re-boot problem which should allow you more time to find the source of the re-boots. Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
If you're from Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin check out Tek-Tips in Chicago, Illinois Forum.

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

 

[sKiBa]

thanks glenjohnson, i'm going to try that on all the boxes.

As for the AD, if I run DCPromo is it just a matter of putting everything back in its place after reinstalling the AD or do I have to unjoin everything frmo the domain? Anything I should be aware of?