Situation: Attempting to rename PC, receive The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted. This message appears after being prompted for domain administrator username and password. I have also seen this when first adding a new XP system to an Active Directory network.

Scenario: - Windows XP Pro SP2 workstation - Active Directory - Windows 2000 Server - Ethernet - TCP/IP -

Fix: (create and) Add the following to the Hosts. file located in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc

192.168.1.250   wizserver01  wizserver01.wizdomain  wizdomain

wizserver01 - substitute your server name
wizdomain - substitute your domain name

For all who care to know this extra tidbit, the LMHosts file didn't have the effect I was looking for. Even with the following information:

192.168.1.250  wizserver01  #DOM:wizdomain  #PRE

I forgot to mention the results of another test done before applying the fix:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>nslookup
*** Can't find server name for address 192.168.1.250: Non-existent domain
*** Default servers are not available
Default Server:  UnKnown
Address:  192.168.1.250

okay .. and remember, it'll be on your test !

 

 

( WinXP PRO AD Win2K Server )