NET VIEW May Cause Semaphore Time Out and Event ID 3210

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you run NET VIEW \\<computer name>, where <computer name> is a backup domain controller (BDC), a Semaphore Time Out error message appears and Event ID 3210 appears in the Event Viewer with the following description:

   Failed to authenticate with <computer name>, a Windows NT domain
   controller for domain <domain name>.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the Netlogon service fails on the BDC.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem:

1. Check the Event Viewer for any Netlogon events. Read the detail description of the event. Query the Microsoft Knowledge Base with the Event ID number or any keywords for a possible resolution.

2. Make sure the primary domain controller (PDC) is running Windows NT 3.5 with Service Pack 2 installed, or a later version of Windows NT. For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

         ARTICLE-ID: Q123155
         TITLE     : Err Msg: The Remote Computer is Not Available
   
         ARTICLE-ID: Q126752
         TITLE     : DCs Fail to Synchronize or Validate Users Over NWLINK
   
   

3. Try to start Netlogon on the problem BDC. If Netlogon fails to start do the following:

   a. Create a new computer name (Use Server Manager).

   b. Synchronize entire domain (check another BDC's event viewer to see

         if it synchronized).
   

   c. At the problem BDC, change the name to the new name created in Step A

         (use Control Panel Network).
   

   d. Shutdown the BDC, reboot, and log on to Windows NT. Note any error

         messages.
   

   e. Synchronize the entire domain (Use Server Manager).

   f. From the PDC, delete the old computer name (Use Server Manager).

   g. Synchronize the entire domain (Use Server Manager).

   h. Make sure the list is out of server manager before proceeding.

   i. After the old BDC name is gone from the Server Manager, recreate it.

   j. Synchronize the entire domain (User Server Manager).

   k. At the problem BDC, change computer name to the old name created in

         step I in Control Panel Network.
   

   l. Shutdown the BDC, reboot, and log on to Windows NT. Note any error

         messages.
   

   m. Synchronize entire domain.