Alright, here is some information about the setup I have now: I have a Intel Dual Core w/ 4GD RAM and 500GB of HDD space. The computer can handle anything Virtual you need. I am setting up a network to test a lot of my schoolwork on (I am studying for Various MCPs and MCSA). Although I may be a little early to try to start setting this all up without any manual or anything, I want to have a head start on just about everything we’re going to cover in class, and so I can come home and experiment. Right now, from my Uni, I have a copy of Server 2k3 Enterprise Edition R2, and WinXP SP2. Both OS’s are installed in the newest version of VMWare server, and have installed perfectly. But I have a small issue: When a client (WinXP) tries to join a domain, I get the error: “The Network Path Was Not Found” I have changed the TCP/IP settings on the client side to reflect the servers IP address (in this case, 10.0.0.2). I can ping the domain (in this case, tbg.local) and it resolves to the IP and replies). I can ping the IP address, and it replies. I can also do it from the Server, as well. The client and server both have their firewalls off. The server’s DNS settings are pointed to itself (10.0.0.2). I’ve done a reasonable amount of google/technet/MS searching and I cannot find a solution that will work. I’m pretty much at a loss. I’ve setup a domain before, but for some reason this one is kicking my ass.

How are you trying to join the domain? When you're asked for the domain you want to join, are you using the server name or the domain name? You must use the domain name!

Yes. What exactly are you typing, and are you attempting to authenticate with a Domain Administrator account? Life's more painless for the brainless.

I right click on my computer >> properties >> go to computer name tab >> click the change button then click the Domain radio button. In the text field under domain I put "tbg.local" and click ok. When the Username/Password box comes up, I put my user/pass that is set for Admin, Domain Admin, and Schema Admin so I think I've covered all the bases there. I get the error after a few moments of waiting to join the domain. And for future reference the server name is SERVER.

Are you typing in tbg.local\username? Life's more painless for the brainless.

No, I am not. When I try that I get the same error.

You said in your original post "I can ping the domain (in this case, tbg.local) and it resolves to the IP and replies). I can ping the IP address, and it replies. I can also do it from the Server, as well." What can you do from the Server? Do you mean ping the client machine? Can you ping the Server (Domain Controller) from the client? Life's more painless for the brainless.