Topic: Specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted

[mjlyon]

I'm having trouble trying to get a Vista machine to join an SME server.  I've set it up as a PDC, and can ping the server by name or IP address.

I've added the required registry key and have enabled NetBIOS over IP.

Still...no dice.

The log files are not terribly verbose and don't seem to see my connection/join attempt.

[Stefano]

I've added the required registry key

define this, please

thank you
Ciao
Stefano

[mjlyon]

define this, please

thank you
Ciao
Stefano

As in the instructions regarding the registry keys that need to be changed for Windows machines.

[uniqsys]

I just had a similar issue last week.  It is an authentication issue with Vista, at least mine was.  I can't locate the bug report that gave the fix but this is what I did from my notes.

run secpol.msc (from a command line) on the Vista machine
Navigate: Local Policies, Security Options, Network Security, LAN Manager Authentication Level.  Change it from "Send NTLM2 response only"  to Send LM & NTLMV2 -use NTLMV2 if supported.

Then try to authenticate again.  It worked for me.  From the bug report it seems that Vista defaults to the newest security negotiation protocol and SME still uses the older one.  If I can find the bug report I'll post it back here.