Question : Problem joining laptop Computer to Domain

This is following on from this thread:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/SBS_Small_Business_Server/Q_22123528.html

Whatever I seem to do, whenever I join a client to the domain using ConnectComputer, the computer reboots and fails to logon with the user account __sbs_netsetup__. I get an error message: 'The Windows NT Logon refused the user credentials with the following explanation: Logon failure: Unknown username or bad password.

I then have two options. I can either logon with the Local Administrator Account, or I can logon with the domain user account. Whichever way I choose, the machine reboots immediately after I logon, then when I logon again, the __sbs_netsetup__ account and it's profile have been deleted. The client has been joined to the domain, but experiences connectivity problems subsequently.

Each time I have attempted to rejoin the laptop to the domain, I have done the following:

I removed the laptop from the domain and made it a member of the 'WORKGROUP' workgroup.
I renamed it with a previously unused name and created a new client computer account on the server with this name.
I deleted the registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\smallbusinessserver.
I deleted the folder: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows Small Business Server\Clients.
I ensured the the __sbs_netsetup__ account and it's profile were not in existence.
I ensured that only the wired nic was enabled, and that netbios over TCP/IP was enabled.
I ensured that the nic was using DHCP for obtaining it's IP address, and that the server IP address was in the DNS box
I ensured that File and Printer Sharing were enabled on the Windows Firewall.
I ensured that Antivirus was disabled on the client.

Previously I had a DNS entry on the Server in order to make the external domain visible to the clients. I deleted this entry and restarted DNS.

This issue occurs every time I join a client to this particular domain. So I think the problem is more likely to be on the server. I've been struggling with this one for a while now. Any suggestions welcome.

Ian

Answer : Problem joining laptop Computer to Domain

"I notice also that a local account was created for the renamed domain administrator"

This would only happen if you logged on with the domain administrator account, which is not usually part of the process.  How did you rename the administrator account?  Did you change the Default Domain Policy?  If so, then it will change the LOCAL administrator account on all workstations in addition to the builtin domain administrator.

It's possible that Norton Internet Security, which is a firewall, not an antivirus, leaves some things set which would block the connectcomputer process.  Instead of immediately removing NIS, make sure first that you disable it and ensure that all settings are neutralized.  Then, you should use the SymNRT.exe utility to remove any Norton or Symantec product from a computer.  Download from here:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

Now.. as for Skype or any VOIP... you need to carefully understand how these will affect the network.  The Skype software used to use available computer processing power and network bandwidth to relay calls (similar to grid computing)... http://msmvps.com/blogs/bradley/archive/2005/07/04/56502.aspx.  I'm unaware if this has changed, but just last November, they released a Business Class version of their software and I'd suggest that ONLY that be used so you can control it centrally:  http://share.skype.com/sites/business/2006/11/enterprise_compatibility_with.html

If you have any clients with VOIP, I would suggest that be run on a separate IP Subnet.  

Jeff
TechSoEasy