Event 5718, Error Message Reports 'Full Synchronization of Database for the Domain Controller Failed' (271998)




This article was previously published under Q271998

SYMPTOMS

During replication between the Primary Domain Controller (PDC) and Backup Domain Controllers (BDCs), Event Viewer may record the following error message:
Event ID: 5718
Description: Full synchronization of xxx database for the Domain Controller \\(server name) failed

CAUSE

This behavior can occur when the Netlogon.chg file or the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) has become corrupt on the BDC.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, reset the Netlogon.chg file by deleting it and restarting the system. If necessary, also obtain a fresh copy of the Security Accounts Manager from the PDC.

MORE INFORMATION

To delete (reset) Netlogon.chg on an NTFS file system partition from the BDC, use the following steps:
  1. Set the permissions so that the %SystemRoot%\Netlogon.chg file has No Access for the System account.
  2. Restart the computer, and then delete the file.
  3. Restart the computer again. The system recreates the file at startup.
To delete (reset) Netlogon.chg on a file allocation table (FAT) partition, use the following steps:
  1. Start the computer, using MS-DOS, and then delete the %SystemRoot%\Netlogon.chg file.
  2. Restart the computer, using Windows NT. The system recreates the file at startup.
For more information, refer to the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

190449 Corrupted SAM Hangs Windows NT Server

173882 Netlogon Synchronization Errors

Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 7/30/2001
Keywords: kbprb KB271998
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