Unable to Log on to the Domain After Applying Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 or Later

ID: Q249828

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

After you join a domain after applying Service Pack 4 (SP4) or later to your Windows NT 4.0-based computer, you are unable to log on to the domain. Also, you receive the following error message after you restart your computer:

System can not log you on to the domain because the systems computer account in its primary domain is missing or the password on that account is incorrect.

When you use the Server Manager tool to view the properties of your computer, you receive the following error message:

The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed.

The domain controller your computer is authenticating with generates an event id 5722 in the System log for your Windows NT 4.0 SP4-based or later computer name. Also, an event id 3224 is generated on the System log of your computer with the following error message:

The authentication service is unknown.

CAUSE

This issue can occur because of a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) issue with the following registry key on your computer:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\RPC

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To work around this issue, use either of the following methods:

Export the registry key listed earlier in this article from a working Windows NT 4.0-based computer, and then import it to your computer.

Use the Server Manager tool to reset your computer account.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg kbnetwork
Version : winnt:4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb