Using MS Loopback Adapter Driver for Network Problems

• Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0

SYMPTOMS

In Windows NT, some hardware-related network problems do not exhibit easily- recognizable symptoms. Some common symptoms that may indicate network problems are:

• The system hangs during NIC setup or detection when installing Windows NT.



• The system hangs when the setup process tries to allow the Server or Workstation to join an existing domain.



• The following error message appears:
  

  Cannot find Primary DC for <your_domain_name>. You may administer this domain, but certain domain-wide operations will be disabled.

  NOTE: This error message may also appear when you use Server Manager and the NetLogon service is not started.

CAUSE

Isolating configuration errors from hardware errors is often the easiest way to pinpoint the source of the problems listed above. These problems may originate from the network adapter or the network adapter driver not being compatible or being defective.

WORKAROUND

The following procedure allows you to detect a problem with the network adapter or the network adapter driver and work around the network adapter installation problems during Windows NT Setup:

1. In the Network Settings dialog box, remove all network adapters from the Installed Adapter Cards list.



2. Choose Add Adapter and select the MS Loopback Adapter. Choose Continue.



3. The only configuration choice required for the MS Loopback driver is Frame Type. Valid frame types are:
   

   802.3 (Ethernet)
   802.5 (Token Ring)
   FDDI

   NOTE: Choice of frame type is not critical, thus selecting 802.3 should be appropriate. If the problem was caused by a network adapter hardware conflict or driver problem, the Setup program should now continue. Similarly, the MS Loopback adapter can be used to isolate configuration problems from hardware problems on existing Windows NT installations.

Additional query words: prodnt 3.10

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