Win2k3 SBS Server Set-up

[specktur]

I have a question for anyone who can help me. I am more of a programmer, web designer, so I don't have a lot of server exp.

I have set up a server running 2k3 sbs edition of server. I have gone through the entire "To Do List", and 2 of 3 computers that are used daily will connect with no problems. The 3rd won't find the domain. I cant figure it out, I have tried static ips, different ports on the switch/router, changing the computer name, adding the computer name to the domain and I am stuck.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Wishdiak]

I have gone through the entire "To Do List", and 2 of 3 computers that are used daily will connect with no problems. The 3rd won't find the domain.

Is this third machine a domain client? Is it on the same network segment as the SBS server? What OS is the client machine running? What error message do you get when this occurs?

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[specktur]

I have one machine on winxp pro, and 2 machines on win2k.
One of the win2k machines joins the domain just fine, as does the winxp machine. but one of the win2k machines says that it either can't find the domain or that it is unavailable.

DHCP is off on the sbs server because the router takes care of that. and forgive me but what is a segment.

Thanks.

 

[TamedTech]

Have you checked the Windows update staus on the machine that doesnt work ... i had a similar issue on onw of my mahcine... installed SP4 for Win2K and all was fine.

Rob

Another note ... can you ping the DC's domain name or IP Address?

 

[specktur]

I get all 4 replies from the DCs' IP address. I will look at the windows update. Although I don't think that is the issue since both pc's were purchased at the same time, set up the same and at the same time, etc. I'll still look though.

Thanks guys, keep the ideas coming.

 

[Wishdiak]

specktur,

"Network segment" as I meant it above, is a portion of your network where all nodes are within broadcast range of each other. If something were blocking broadcast traffic (which routers so by design), then this could be relevant to your problem.

Are there any specific errors in the Event Viewer on the affected client machine?

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[markdmac]

This is most likely a DNS problem, however how are you "joining" the computers to the domain? With SBS 2003 youshoud use the web interface.

http://servername/connectcomputer

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[specktur]

I have been joining the computers manually.
I right click on my computer and under computer name I click change to manually enter the domain. On the computers that join the domain I can get to //servername/connectcomputer.
However on the pc that wont connect I can't reach that page.
Next question, how do I fix it?

Thanks alot!

 

[markdmac]

Just to verify you are using the web browser to reach the page yes?

http://servername/connectcomputer?

Again if you can't get to that it really sounds like a DNS error. Have you verified you are gettign an IP address with the correct DNS Settings via DHCP? If you run IPCONFIG /ALL, do you have the correct default gateway address?

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[specktur]

I am using IE 6 to view

http://servername/connectcomputer

with no luck.

I disabled and uninstalled my network card under device manager and rebooted, after the hardware was reinstalled i tried again to the same result. I am getting a valid ip address from DHCP and the DNS is automatic (I believe to the router) is that how it should be?

Thanks,
Sean

 

[markdmac]

No, it should have DNS set to your SBS box.

let's verify you have DNS setcorrectly ont he server.

The server NIC should list itself for DNS, NO ISP DNS GOES HERE. Open the DNS Sever Snap-In. Check the forwarders tab and this is where you enter the ISP DNS. Open your DHCP Snap-in and check your scope options. Under Name Servers add in your SBS box and clear any ISP DNS.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[specktur]

OK. Here I am again.
Still same issue. The internet explorer will connect to the ip address of the server, but it won't run the connection wizard. It just dies, it loads the page that is supposed to start the install and in the bottom left it says done. but no wizard. All the other suggestions are checked and fixed (if needed), Now im starting to get really frustrated.

Thanks.

 

[markdmac]

Sounds like maybe active X is turned off on that machine. Is this an XP or Win2K machine that won't connect?

If XP then you may want to disable the Windows Firewall too.

Check in the top of the IE window for an Active X message that soemthing may need to be installed.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[specktur]

Here is an update.

I don't understand this maybe someone can make sense of it.
I made a vpn connection to the server, and it connects, then I manually joined the domain (by right clicking on my computer and changing the computer name tab, then changing from workgroup to domain). It joins the domain. I reboot the computer (no more vpn connection) and it wont connect anymore.

Also the active x settings are all set to either prompt or accept.

Thanks again for all the wonderful help!
Sean.

 

[markdmac]

Once again I would say please check your DNS. The fact that this works with a VPN just supports that this is your problem. Please post the following information:

On the wrokstation:
IP Address
Subnet mask
Default Gateway
DNS1
DNS2

On the Server:
IP Address
Subnet mask
Default Gateway
DNS1
DNS2

Within the DNS Snap-In:
Forwarders

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[specktur]

Mark,

You were exactly correct. It was a dns issue. I gave the computer a static ip and pointed the dns to my sbs box, then joined the domain with success.
Problem is that I didn't install dhcp on the sbs box I am using it off the router. Is there a way now to change that? I looked and couldn't find anywhere that gave me an option to install dhcp. Thanks.

Sean

 

[markdmac]

DHCP should already be installed. Take a look at your list of services and you should find DHCP Client and DHCP Server installed by default. Note however that SBS DHCP will disable itself when it detects another DHCP server, so you will first need to disable the DHCP on the router. Then start your DHCP Server service. From there you can go into Administrative Tools and should see the link for DHCP. If not then launch MMC and add the DHCP snap in to configure it. If you somehow did a custom install and did not choose DHCP to be installed as is the default, then you can add it from Add/Remove Programs, Windows Components, Networking Components.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[specktur]

I did a custom install and didn't install DHCP, at the time I was going to use the routers dhcp function because I have 1 pc that is not going to be using the server. I thought to use the routers dhcp and everything would be ok, I guess not though.
I will try that

Thanks,
Sean

 

[specktur]

Mark,

Again thanks for all your help. I installed DHCP on the sbs box and disabled the DHCP on the router. I released and renewed all the pcs IP address and everything is working 100%!!!

Sean