Cannot Connect to Remote Computers by Using User Manager and Server Manager (264741)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q264741

SYMPTOMS

When you use NetBIOS-based applications such as User Manager and Server Manager to connect to remote computers, the connection may not be established and the following error message may appear:
Could not find domain controller for this domain

Administrative tools that connect by Internet Protocol (IP) address, such as DHCP Manager and WINS Manager, work properly.

In addition, you are able to ping the remote computers by IP address but not by computer name. If you create an LMHOSTS file that includes mappings to the remote computers, you can ping by computer name but cannot connect to resources on the remote computer. The Net Use\\server_name\share command also does not work. The problem does not occur when you are connecting to computers with static IP addresses.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur when the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server is configured to assign clients a NetBIOS Scope ID and the option is being used incorrectly.

RESOLUTION

From a client computer experiencing this behavior, use the IPCONFIG / all command to verify that a NetBIOS Scope ID has been assigned. From DHCP Manager, remove the NetBIOS Scope ID from the DHCP scope options. Have all DHCP client computers use the IPCONFIG command to release and renew their IP addresses.

MORE INFORMATION

To remove the NetBIOS Scope ID from the DHCP scope options, follow these steps:
  1. Start DHCP Manager.
  2. In the left pane of DHCP Manager, double-click the IP address of the appropriate server to display the DHCP scopes.
  3. In the left pane, click the scope.
  4. On the DHCP Options menu, click Scope.
  5. In the DHCP Options: Scope dialog box, under Active Options, click 047 NetBIOS Scope ID and then click Remove.
  6. Click OK, and then quit DHCP Manager.

To release and renew DHCP client IP addresses, follow these steps:
  1. Start a command prompt.
  2. To release the IP address, use the following command:

    IPCONFIG /RELEASE
  3. To renew the IP address, use the following command:

    IPCONFIG /RENEW
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/10/2001
Keywords:kbprb KB264741
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