Article ID: 249828 - Last Review: November 1, 2006 - Revision: 2.1

Unable to Log on to the Domain After Applying Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 or Later

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This article was previously published under Q249828
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986/EN-US/ ) Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry
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SYMPTOMS

After you join a domain after applying Service Pack 4 (SP4) or later to your Windows NT 4.0-based computer, you are unable to log on to the domain. Also, you receive the following error message after you restart your computer:
System can not log you on to the domain because the systems computer account in its primary domain is missing or the password on that account is incorrect.
When you use the Server Manager tool to view the properties of your computer, you receive the following error message:
The trust relationship between this workstation and the primary domain failed.
The domain controller your computer is authenticating with generates an event id 5722 in the System log for your Windows NT 4.0 SP4-based or later computer name. Also, an event id 3224 is generated on the System log of your computer with the following error message:
The authentication service is unknown.
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CAUSE

This issue can occur because of a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) issue with the following registry key on your computer:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\RPC
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RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To work around this issue, use either of the following methods:
  • Export the registry key listed earlier in this article from a working Windows NT 4.0-based computer, and then import it to your computer.
  • Use the Server Manager tool to reset your computer account.
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4
  • Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5
  • Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6
  • Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
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Keywords: 
kberrmsg kbenv kbnetwork kbprb KB249828
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