I removed the computer account of a BDC from the Server Manager but when I tried to add it again as a (BDC) I was not successful in doing so. Now the BDC appears as a Windows Workstation (although it is a Server) in the Server Manager on PDC. Then I had to rename the server to another name (before doing that I created an account for it in Server Manager on BDC) but I still have the same problem. The error message in BDC event viewer states that: Error 1787 The SAM Database on the Windows NT Server doesn't have a computer account for this workstation trust relationship". In Server Manager on PDC, the BDC is already showing there as a Windows Workstation. When I go to Computer--> Add to Domain & if I try to add it as a BDC I get the message "Unknown Error" & then I'll be only able to add the BDC as a Win NT Workstation or Server & it only now shows as a Workstation. I tried to use the Netdom utility but when I try to use it with Reset option I get the failure message & the comment that "The Computer account exists but is not marked as a computer account". And I get the same message when I use the Query option. When I use the FULLSYNC option I get the message "The BDC secure Channel with PDC is probably out of Sync". I tried to sync the Entire Domain from the PDC server manager but there was no messages in the event viewer on both PDC & BDC. I can map a share on PDC from BDC & Vice versa. I'm desperately in need for any help. This server got another Financial application on it (which I inherited with the job) & I really don't want to reinstall it. Your help is highly appreciated. Regards, Amjad

Disconnect the BDC from the LAN. On the PDC open up server manager and delete any references to the BDC's name. It may take a while for it to disappear from the list. When you can see in server manager on the PDC that references to the BDC's name have gone reconnect the BDC and start it up again. Logon as user administrator of the domain on the BDC and see if the PDC picks it up as a BDC. IF it doesn't, try this:- Disconnect the BDC again and remove and references to its name on the PDC. Keeping the BDC isolated from the LAN boot it up and log on as user administrator of the domain. Once the system is up bring up Network Properties->Identification and try changing the name of the server(assuming that it won't cause major probs). While the system is rebooting hook it back up to the LAN and login again as user administrator. On the BDC console open up Server manager and see how the BDC has been identified. Try and do a resynchronisation too.

In addition to Maurice´s very good option, a very good command to diagnose, reset and restore secure channels between DCs is NLTEST, available in the Resource Kit. You may feel like trying this option first before changing your BDC´s name. Andrés

Hi Guys, Thanks for the help. But I exactly tried what Maurice suggested & that didn't work. The netdom was not very helpful. Eventually I had to remove a the BDC from the network & delete all its accounts in Server Manager in PDC & then reinstall the server as a BDC but now if I try to add it as a BDC (during installation) I get an error message that it doesn't have a BDC account. I tried before that adding a BDC account in Server Manager on the PDC but I get the error: "Unknown Error Occurred". I'm trying here totaly different names. Isn't this the proper way to add a BDC?? Please help. Regards, Amjad