Can't join domain because "The network location cannot be reached"

I have just installed a Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition with R2, and the
server is patched to corporate backbone network. I can issue the PING to
default gateway of the network without problem, or vice versa.

However, I can neither browse other machines in the same network, nor join
into the corporate domain with following error message returned on attempting
to join domain.
"The following error occurred attempting to join the domain "xx.yy.com"
The network location cannot be reached. For information abotu network
troubleshooting, see Windows Help."

I neither enable the server's Firewall nor implmenet any security policy
yet. Meanwhile, the TCP/IP layer works fine: can ping other servers on
network, but fail to browse them, other servers can ping this server as well.

BTW, the "NetBIOS over TCPIP" of this server is disabled with unknown
reason. I have tried to enable it by going to the "WINS" tab of "Advanced
TCP/IP settings" of the adapter but in vain, the "NetBIOS over TCP/IP" is
still disabled.

Any idea?

I would check the DNS settings first. Or this search result may help,

Domain FAQs Symptoms: When attempting to join a domain, you may receive one of the following error messages 1) "The following error occurred attempting to join domain ...
www.chicagotech.net/domainfaqs.htm


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"Terence" <Terence@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:8D08F0D1-CEB9-41A9-A9CA-579226FD23BE@microsoft.com...
I have just installed a Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition with R2, and the
server is patched to corporate backbone network. I can issue the PING to
default gateway of the network without problem, or vice versa.

However, I can neither browse other machines in the same network, nor join
into the corporate domain with following error message returned on attempting
to join domain.
"The following error occurred attempting to join the domain "xx.yy.com"
The network location cannot be reached. For information abotu network
troubleshooting, see Windows Help."

I neither enable the server's Firewall nor implmenet any security policy
yet. Meanwhile, the TCP/IP layer works fine: can ping other servers on
network, but fail to browse them, other servers can ping this server as well.

BTW, the "NetBIOS over TCPIP" of this server is disabled with unknown
reason. I have tried to enable it by going to the "WINS" tab of "Advanced
TCP/IP settings" of the adapter but in vain, the "NetBIOS over TCP/IP" is
still disabled.

Any idea?

I have verified everything, DNS settings/ip, WINS setting/ip, services,
speed/duplex, add DNS suffix, and so on, but all effort is in vain. The last
restort is to re-install and everything works fine after re-install Win2003
Server R2.


"Robert L [MVP - Networking]" wrote:

> I would check the DNS settings first. Or this search result may help,
>
> Domain FAQs Symptoms: When attempting to join a domain, you may receive one of the following error messages 1) "The following error occurred attempting to join domain ...
> www.chicagotech.net/domainfaqs.htm
>
>
> Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
> Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
> How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
> "Terence" <Terence@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:8D08F0D1-CEB9-41A9-A9CA-579226FD23BE@microsoft.com...
> I have just installed a Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition with R2, and the
> server is patched to corporate backbone network. I can issue the PING to
> default gateway of the network without problem, or vice versa.
>
> However, I can neither browse other machines in the same network, nor join
> into the corporate domain with following error message returned on attempting
> to join domain.
> "The following error occurred attempting to join the domain "xx.yy.com"
> The network location cannot be reached. For information abotu network
> troubleshooting, see Windows Help."
>
> I neither enable the server's Firewall nor implmenet any security policy
> yet. Meanwhile, the TCP/IP layer works fine: can ping other servers on
> network, but fail to browse them, other servers can ping this server as well.
>
> BTW, the "NetBIOS over TCPIP" of this server is disabled with unknown
> reason. I have tried to enable it by going to the "WINS" tab of "Advanced
> TCP/IP settings" of the adapter but in vain, the "NetBIOS over TCP/IP" is
> still disabled.
>
> Any idea?

i too, can't change the NetBios over TCP/IP setting on an install of
2k3r2, i've tried various registry entries and the simple setting in
the nic's properties, any info is appreciated. thx