Problems Managing Computers using Active Directory Users and Computers

[RobSimpson]

I'd quite like to use the Manage option under the Computers section of Active Directory Users and Computers.

When I open the console(?) all the workstations are listed. When I right click on the computer name (ICT001 to ICT016) and choose manage, I get an error message saying that the computer can't be managed, the network path was not found.

Any ideas where I've gone wrong?

 

[brontosaurus]

try changing your ADU&C view to "Users, Groups, and Computers as Containers"....

 

[RobSimpson]

I'll give it a go. I'll reply tomorrow if not.

 

[GlenJohnson]

Thought I'd try it. Doesn't work for me either. Took your advice about changing them to containers, that didn's work. Error message says connect to another computer, that didn't work. Wonder why? It works locally connecting to the server. Wonder if this has something to do with our dns problems. (Ghost server, Knowledge Consisteny Checker problems, etc.) AD is heavy into dns. Have to look into it. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen@nellsgiftbox.com

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882); US philosopher, poet, essayist.

 

[GrnEyedLdy]

Curious, but this option seems to work fine for me. I tried it with the view set to "Users, Groups, and Computers as Containers"....as well as it with it not set this way. Both ways seem to work fine.

Does sound like a DNS problem, as you say. Are there Host records listed for these computers in your DNS zone? Just a thought anyway...

 

[fespo]

are these work stations win2k? has the name of the computer changed? and do you have domain admin rights?

 

[imatthec]

does your group policy for the computers allow them to be managed remotely? have you added you domain admin group to the local computer's admin group?

 

[nhidalgo]

This sound like an address resolution problem. Trying pinging one of these computers by the host name from the computer you are trying to manage from. If you are unable to then try pinging by ip. If this works you must setup dns for these pc or add them to your local "lmhosts" file.
Let me know if this helps

Nick

 

[tlcscousin]

Try taking one out of the domain and add it back in and see if you are able to manage it then.

 

[GlenJohnson]

My problem is I can't do this from the server. I was trying to use VNC and manage my pc. I can go to manage pc on my desktop and manage a server with no problems. Interesting.

Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen@nellsgiftbox.com

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882); US philosopher, poet, essayist.

 

[caddnima]

Hey Glen, I am having two way problem. I cant even manage the server from my pc.

Wow, I am in big trouble... he he he he

 

[GlenJohnson]

1) Are there Host records listed for these computers in your DNS zone? Just a thought anyway...
Don't see any.
2)are these work stations win2k? has the name of the computer changed? and do you have domain admin rights?
Yes, No and Yes.
3)does your group policy for the computers allow them to be managed remotely? have you added you domain admin group to the local computer's admin group?
Have never set up any policies. All are default still.
4)This sound like an address resolution problem. Trying pinging one of these computers by the host name from the computer you are trying to manage from. If you are unable to then try pinging by ip. If this works you must setup dns for these pc or add them to your local "lmhosts" file.
Let me know if this helps
I can ping by name from the server to the desktop by name and IP. Added machine to lmhosts, still get error message can't find network path. Don't get that when I manage the server from my desktop though.
5)Try taking one out of the domain and add it back in and see if you are able to manage it then.
This is a DC we're talking about. I can't just take one of our dc's out of the domain because I can't manage a pc from it. Good thought though.

Thanks gang, lots of good ideas. Just didn't work. No biggy. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen@nellsgiftbox.com

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882); US philosopher, poet, essayist.

 

[RobSimpson]

Well I tried but it didn't work. But here's today's peculiarity. It seems to be a DNS problem.

Removed the computer ICT001's account from the ADC&U and tried to rejoin from the Win2K workstation - IP address ok DNS at 194.238.20.1 which was the setting given by my help desk. No luck. Network path not found.

Set the DNS to 192.128.20.2 (the server) and it joined immediately BUT I then lost my internet connection which had worked with the previous DNS setting!

Changed the DNS back to original and got the Internet access back but now can't do anything with the workstation via ADC&U. Definitely not manage anyway.

HELP!

 

[RobSimpson]

Well I tried but it didn't work. But here's today's peculiarity. It seems to be a DNS problem.

Removed the computer ICT001's account from the ADC&U and tried to rejoin from the Win2K workstation - IP address ok DNS at 194.238.20.1 which was the setting given by my help desk. No luck. Network path not found.

Set the DNS to 192.128.20.2 (the server) and it joined immediately BUT I then lost my internet connection which had worked with the previous DNS setting!

Changed the DNS back to original and got the Internet access back but now can't do anything with the workstation via ADC&U. Definitely not manage anyway.

HELP!

 

[caddnima]

Glen,

What do I have to do or checklist for me to remote manage my server/AD.

 

[GlenJohnson]

If you mean how can you remote admin your server, I use tight/vnc. Have it installed on around 250 machines, someone calls with a problem, I just vnc into there machine, and run it remotely. Also have it on my servers. It's free and easy to use. Do a search on google for tightvnc. Good luck. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen@nellsgiftbox.com

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882); US philosopher, poet, essayist.

 

[caddnima]

Glen,

I tried using tight/vnc... And I love it...
Thanks Man...

 

[caddnima]

One problem though, when the server is in screen saver mode with password... how do you Ctrl-Alt-Del to log on again...?

 

[brontosaurus]

If you click on the top left corner of the VNC window, you should get a drop down menu that includes "Send CTL-ALT-DEL"

 

[GlenJohnson]

Thanks brontosaurus. On the money again. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen@nellsgiftbox.com

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882); US philosopher, poet, essayist.