Article ID: 293403 - Last Review: January 13, 2006 - Revision: 1.3

You receive an error message when you join a domain with Windows XP

This article was previously published under Q293403
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SYMPTOMS

When you join a Microsoft Windows 2000 Active Directory domain from a Microsoft Windows XP client, you may receive the following error message:
The following error occurred attempting to join the domain:domainname: The specified server cannot perform the requested operation.

A domain controller for the domain domainname could not be contacted
Ensure that the domain name is typed correctly.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if NWLink Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange (IPX/SPX) is the only bound protocol or if you did not install and bind TCP/IP to an adapter with access to the DNS server and the intended Active Directory domain.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, make sure to bind and install TCP/IP to the adapter that has a route to the Active Directory domain and DNS server.

For step-by-step procedures about how to install and bind TCP/IP, refer to Windows XP Help.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

The domain join behavior in Windows XP requires TCP/IP to join an Active Directory domain by using a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) query to an Active Directory DNS server that holds the SRV record:
_ldap._tcp.dc._msdcs.domainname
Because LDAP does not work over IPX, the join procedure does not work. Using LDAP prevents authentication problems shortly after the bootstrap of a recently joined computer.

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Keywords: 
kbenv kberrmsg kbnetwork kbprb KB293403
 

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