Error Message: The Specified Domain Either Does Not Exist or Could Not Be Contacted (256083)

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to join a Microsoft Windows 2000-based client to a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0-based or Windows 2000-based domain, you may receive the following error message:

The following error occurred validating the name "domain". The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted.

CAUSE

This error message can occur if the client is configured with the IP address of a Domain Name System (DNS) server that does not support SRV records, or if the DNS server responds with an unexpected response to the client's query for a SRV record.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the appropriate method:

Temporarily remove the assigned DNS address from the client. After the client has successfully joined the domain, reconfigure the client with a DNS server's IP address.
Use the Netdom tool from the Windows 2000 Support Tools to join the client to the domain. Use the netdom /? command for information about the Netdom command syntax.
Contact the manufacturer of your DNS server to inquire about the availability of an update for the DNS server that supports SRV records.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

232025 Description of the DNS SRV Resource Record Type