Domain Controller Not Found When Using DNS

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51

SYMPTOMS

You have configured your Windows NT Workstation or Member Server to participate in a domain. You only have a domain controller across an IP router and you resolve the name of the domain with Domain Name System (DNS). As soon as possible, log on. You can also configure the computer for AutoAdminLogon.

After some time you receive the message that a domain controller cannot be found. If you have logged on before, you will be logged on using cached information. If you log off and try to log on, after a while, you will be able to log on successfully.

CAUSE

When Windows NT starts, the network services begin when the dialog box "Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to log on" appears. The component in Windows NT that sends DNS requests starts later in this process, so the logon process runs into a time-out and stops waiting for the connection to the domain controller.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using the Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system- wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of the Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

Add the "Group" value type REG_MULI_SZ with the entry "TDI" under the following two registry keys:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM
      \CurrentControlSet
         \Services
            \LMHOSTS
and

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM
      \CurrentControlSet
         \Services
            \TCPIP