Microsoft KB Archive/285800

= &quot;Specified Domain Either Does Not Exist or Could Not Be Contacted&quot; Error Message When You Try to Join a Windows NT 4.0 Domain =

Article ID: 285800

Article Last Modified on 12/3/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q285800



SYMPTOMS
When you try to join a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0-based domain from a Windows 2000-based computer or a Windows Server 2003-based computer, you may receive the following error message:

The following error occurred validating the name &quot; &quot;. The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted



CAUSE
This behavior may occur if the Windows 2000-based computer or Windows Server 2003-based computer is unable to resolve the NetBIOS name of the Windows NT 4.0-based primary domain controller.



RESOLUTION
If you use Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) to resolve NetBIOS names, make sure that the IP addresses of the WINS servers are configured correctly on Windows 2000-based computers and Windows Server 2003-based computers, and that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled.

Keywords: kbprb KB285800

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