Error Message: A Controller for This Domain Could Not Be Found

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to add computers to a domain during Windows NT Setup after you have installed the updated Lsasrv.dll file (Lsa-fixi.exe or Lsa- ixa.exe) on the Primary Domain Controller (PDC), you may receive the following error message:

A controller for this domain could not be found.

CAUSE

The behavior occurs because the updated Lsasrv.dll file (Lsa-fixi.exe or Lsa-fixa.exe) implements the new registry item called RestrictAnonymous that restricts the use of Null NamedPipes. Windows NT Setup uses a Null NamedPipe for the connection to the server to verify the domain. The Null NamedPipe is returned with access denied because RestrictAnonymous has been used on the PDC.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.0 and Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 4.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the updated Lsasrv.dll file (Lsa-fixi.exe or Lsa-fixa.exe), please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: Q154087
TITLE : Access Violation in LSASS.EXE Due to Incorrect Buffer Size

Keywords : kberrmsg NT4SP4Fix kbbug4.00 winnt kbfix4.00.sp4 NTSrvWkst
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug