Setting up a domain

[ComputerGeek2021]

Howdy!

Client has asked me If I would assist in getting her office connect to a domain network. 

She has 5 desktop computers using windows 10 pro (and getting more) and 1 Laptop using windows 10 pro (does not need to be connected to the domain) 

The original installers just set the workstations up as local users add did "set up" the server but is not allowing workstations to connect to it. 

 

When trying to connect to the domain I do the following: 

System Properties > To rename this computer or change its domain or workgroup (I hit change) 

Click on Domain and enter the domain name found on the server manager page ( in this example lets call it "testing.com"

I get this error messages: "An Active Directory Domain Controller ( AD DC) for the domain "testing.com" could not be contacted. Ensure that the domain name is typed correctly. 

 

Now if I do it again, but leave off the ".com" it allows me to enter the username and password. When I do it takes it a minuet but I get this message: 

The following error occurred attempting to join the domain "testing" The specified domain does not exist or could not be contacted. 

 

I was not apart of the original set up of this office and really dont mind cleaning up someone else mess but this time it has me stumped.

 

Currently the workstations are using local users, and have the computer using a drive map pointed to the server as a shared folder. This office has been running this way for three years and when someone leaves they just wiped the computers clean and re-assigned it to another user. 

 

Any assistance in getting the set up to a domain would be very much appreciated.    

[m9x3mos]

You would need a dedicated domain controller computer running windows server with in house dns server to do this. It sounds like they don't have that. 

This is a guide on domain controller setup for reference. 

https://www.manageengine.com/products/active-directory-audit/kb/how-to/how-to-setup-a-domain-controller.html

[BecauseRussia]

Is the server an actual domain controller? Does it have the DC Roles and Feature installed?

 

Right-click the network and select Open Network and Internet Settings. Then on the left left-click Ethernet. Then on the right click change advanced sharing options. Then make sure File and Printer sharing is enabled.

Ran into an issue with some virtual machines where if this option was not enabled you could not join the domain.

[ComputerGeek2021]

8 minutes ago, BecauseRussia said:

Is the server an actual domain controller? Does it have the DC Roles and Feature installed?

 

Right-click the network and select Open Network and Internet Settings. Then on the left left-click Ethernet. Then on the right click change advanced sharing options. Then make sure File and Printer sharing is enabled.

Ran into an issue with some virtual machines where if this option was not enabled you could not join the domain.

Yes the server is an actual domain controller. it does have DC Roles and Features installed to my understanding

I have check and the files and printer sharing is enabled

[ComputerGeek2021]

24 minutes ago, m9x3mos said:

You would need a dedicated domain controller computer running windows server with in house dns server to do this. It sounds like they don't have that. 

This is a guide on domain controller setup for reference. 

https://www.manageengine.com/products/active-directory-audit/kb/how-to/how-to-setup-a-domain-controller.html

I have went back and check and yes the services are running

[m9x3mos]

1 hour ago, ComputerGeek2021 said:

I have went back and check and yes the services are running

Then you will want to ensure these machines are on the same network and the dns has an entry for the domain controller under the name of was configured with. 

[ComputerGeek2021]

2 minutes ago, m9x3mos said:

Then you will want to ensure these machines are on the same network and the dns has an entry for the domain controller under the name of was configured with. 

They are on the same network. 

DNS has an entry for the domain controller under the name was configured with??

[m9x3mos]

For example if the domain is setup to be domain.testing.com ping that on the computer you are trying to join with. If that doesn't get the ip of the domain controller, you will need to fix the dns first. Then try joining. 

[ComputerGeek2021]

10 minutes ago, m9x3mos said:

For example if the domain is setup to be domain.testing.com ping that on the computer you are trying to join with. If that doesn't get the ip of the domain controller, you will need to fix the dns first. Then try joining. 

I sent you a message for you to take a look at. Thank you

[Jarsky]

3 hours ago, ComputerGeek2021 said:

When trying to connect to the domain I do the following: 

System Properties > To rename this computer or change its domain or workgroup (I hit change) 

Click on Domain and enter the domain name found on the server manager page ( in this example lets call it "testing.com"

I get this error messages: "An Active Directory Domain Controller ( AD DC) for the domain "testing.com" could not be contacted. Ensure that the domain name is typed correctly. 

 

Now if I do it again, but leave off the ".com" it allows me to enter the username and password. When I do it takes it a minuet but I get this message: 

The following error occurred attempting to join the domain "testing" The specified domain does not exist or could not be contacted. 

 

Make sure your clients have the DNS server pointing at the Domain Controllers DNS Server. 

Otherwise it has no idea where "testing.com" or "testing" is.

 

You can get more advanced and use DNS forwarders and such, but the very basics is that your DC probably runs its own local DNS server, and your client machines should be using this. 

 

You also need a domain admin (or delegate) account in order to join the domain, im assuming someone has these details that they've given you.