NET ACCOUNTS Command Errors

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you type NET ACCOUNTS /SYNC at the command prompt, you may receive either of the following error messages:

   System error 1717 has occurred.
   The interface is unknown.

   -or-

   System error 50 has occurred.
   The network request is not supported.

   The request will be processed at the primary domain controller for
   domain <domain_name>. Could not find domain controller for this domain.
   More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2453.

   Could not find domain controller for this domain.

CAUSE

You receive the first error message above (system error 1717) when the Netlogon service is not running correctly on the computer from which the command was run. The NET ACCOUNTS /SYNC command is supported on a primary or backup domain controller. Although it is not supported on a member server or a workstation, the same error can occur if the Netlogon service has been stopped.

NOTE: All NET ACCOUNTS switches, other than /SYNC, can be successfully run on the primary domain controller (PDC), even when the Netlogon service is not running.

The second error message above (system error 50) can occur when the NET ACCOUNTS /SYNC command is run on a member server or workstation. The /SYNC switch is only supported on a domain controller.

The third error message above may result when the NET ACCOUNTS command is run on a backup domain controller (BDC), a member server, or a workstation if the Netlogon service is not running correctly on the PDC. Unlike the /SYNC switch, the other switches do not require the Netlogon service to be running on the computer from which the command was run.

The fourth error message above occurs if Windows NT cannot find the domain controller for the domain. The task cannot be completed unless the domain controller runs in the domain.

RESOLUTION

To resolve these problems, start the Netlogon service on the domain controller.

MORE INFORMATION

You can use the NET ACCOUNTS command to synchronize the user account database within a domain, and to set some policies. For all of the switches of the command to work properly, the Netlogon service must be running correctly on the primary and backup domain controllers.

The following is the syntax of the NET ACCOUNTS command:

   NET ACCOUNTS [/FORCELOGOFF:{minutes | NO}] [/MINPWLEN:length]
                [/MAXPWAGE:{days | UNLIMITED}] [/MINPWAGE:days]
                [/UNIQUEPW:number] [/DOMAIN]
   NET ACCOUNTS [/SYNC]