DOCUMENT:Q127911 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Err Msg: Cannot Create This File When This File Already Exists PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:3.50 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you attempt to establish trusts among a number of domains using User Manager for Domains, the following error message appears: Cannot create this file when this file already exists CAUSE ===== This problem occurs when you attempt establish a trust with a domain that has the same domain security identification (SID) information as another domain that is already trusted, or has the same local Domain SID. This problem occurs when you: - Rename a domain and the trust to the previous name is still in a trust relationship. - Split a single domain into two domains by simply renaming the domain on some backup domain controller (BDC) and promoting it to a primary domain controller (PDC). In this case both domains have the same Domain SID. - Create two domains through an automated process. For example, you install Windows NT once on a PDC and then performing a disk-to-disk copy to another identical computer, and then change the domain name. WORKAROUND ========== To work around this problem: - If a domain is renamed and previous trust relationships still exist, break all trusts established by the previous domain, and re-create the trusts for the new domain. -or- - Reinstall all domain controllers in one of the domains (consider using a smaller domain). After you re-install the domain controllers, change the security on all objects which give permissions to objects in that domain. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.5. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available. MORE INFORMATION ================ A domain SID is generated during installation when you decide if you want the newly installed computer to be the PDC of a new domain. If there is no domain reachable on the network with that domain name, a new SID is generated. If you decide you want the computer to be a BDC, it browses the network for a PDC of a domain with that name and use that same domain SID. Once a SID is generated for a domain it does not change. This means that if you change a domain's name, it retains the same domain SID. Additional query words: prodnt usrmgr ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search Version : 3.50 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.