I have done a brand new installation of a 2003 Server v5.2 build 3790. This is the first time I install a 2003 server, I have done NT 4.0 and 2000 servers installations before but I never had this problem. The problem I have is as follows; Everytime I attempt to join the DOMAIN with my LAPTOP computer running Windows XP Professional SP2 I get the following error: "The following error occurred attempting to joind the domain "XXXDOMAIN": The specified server cannot perform the requested operation. I can access the shared folders on the server no problem do and whatever I want with them but I CAN NOT JOIN the domain. No matter what I do. Using a different desktop computer after searching for the server on the Network Neighboorhood icon. I can actually login to the server from that desktop computer using simple logon without a domain even though that computer is configured to use a WORKGROUP and NOT a domain; but I can still login to the server and access the same files I access from my laptop even though I CAN NOT JOIN the domain. I am the administrator I have added and setp all the accounts for all computers and users on the domain controller tree but still it won't work. Sometimes after trying to join the DOMAIN from my laptop I check on the Domain Controller tree and I see that the account for the laptop HAS BEEN DISABLED BY the server on the directory tree. I re-enable the computer it back but it still I can not join the domain. What am I missing or overlooking on the setup? Can anybody please help? Gilbert

A few things: 1.) Are you sure this is a DC? did you run DCPROMO? on the 2003 server? 2.) you might have a DNS problem? the client machines? are they poniting to the DC DNS box? 3.) Is this an upgrade? 4.) any firewall's running on the server?

The firewall is the first thing I would check because when you install 2003 server, the firewall is turned on by default. I had the same issue and when I turned off the firewall, I was able to join the domain no problem.

Sounds like a DNS issue to me, check your scope and A records.

Try the following Join the domain without sing DCPROMO, from windows properties. Restart the Pc, then do nslookup, after specifying the DNS server address. Most importantly, check DNs settings.

I am also having the same problem with my Windows XP PC not being able to join the domain. Have you found a solution

I was having the same problem at work after a terrible day. After reading the responses I remembered that I setup the server to provide addresses in the range of 192.168.10.x. I believe that I need to manually assign the client an available address in that range and set the server's address as the DNS address. Will do first thing in the morning when I get to work and report back.