Cannot add Windows 7 PC to domain. Get the following message. An attempt to resolve the DNS name of a DC in the domain being joined has failed.

Anonymous
2009-11-10T19:41:01+00:00

When trying to add a new Windows 7 machine to a network I get the following error message..."An attempt to resolve the DNS name of a DC in the domain being joined has failed. Please verify this client is configured to reach a DNS server that can resolve DNS names in the target domain."  I don't have any problems adding XP machines to the domain and not sure why I can't add a Windows 7 machine.  I am able to get on the internet on the Windows 7 PC but can't add it to the domain.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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Anonymous
2009-11-16T17:42:34+00:00

We finally got the computer to join the domain by doing the following:  in the network adapter IP 4 properties, set the DNS ip address to that of the domain controller, NOT the DNS.  Then went back to the computer properties to add the computer to the domain, it was added succesfully.  After rebooting the machine and logging into the domain account, go back to the IP 4 properties and reset the DNS to automatically get the ip address.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-08-23T21:16:13+00:00

    First of all, this is a problem joining a Win7/Pro workstation to a Server 2008 R2 Domain Controller. The Win7 workstation can use shared resources on the server and can ping it; it cannot join the domain. The problem does not exist with Server 2003. The problem does not exist when we connect XP/Pro workstations to Server 2008 R2.

    These are most of the suggestions we have tried without success:

    1. Preferred DNS on WS set to server IP - No go
    2. Turned off IPv6 – No go
    3. Removed DNS role on server; then re-added DNS role – No go
    4. Turned off user account settings on WS – No go
    5. Nslookup cannot see the domain controller
    6. Tried fixed IP address – No go
    7. Tried unchecking IP v6 in LAN connection properties – No go

    Any other ideas out there. I am very ready to go back to Server 2003.

    Thanks, DCS

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-09-29T02:19:08+00:00

    My problem maybe the same as yours.  I have a Firewall that all my traffic goes through.

    Check that you have port UDP 389, that contacts your AD server is open.

    **GOOD LUCK!**

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-09-29T21:52:00+00:00

    On my Windows 7/Pro 32bit workstation, I tried open UPD port #389 for both inbound and outbound by defining new rules. It did not work. I still get the same message:

    "The following error occurred attempting to join the domain "dcs":

    An attempt to resolve the DNS name of a domain controller in the domain being joined has failed. Please verify this client is configured to reach a DNS server that can resolve the DNS names in the target domain. For information about network troubleshooting, see Windows Help."

    any other suggestions/ideas would be helpful.

    thanks/DCS

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-11-20T01:58:44+00:00

    thank you so much- it works perfect  after trying many ideas and wasting time

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