"Network Path Not Found" Error Message When You Try to Add Workstation to Domain (285182)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q285182

SYMPTOMS

When you try to add a Windows 2000 Professional-based computer or a Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition-based computer to a domain, you may not be able to do so, and you may receive the following error message:
The following error occurred when attempting to join domain name. The network path was not found.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur when the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) configuration is using the incorrect IP address for the Domain Name Service (DNS) or WINS server on your network, or when no name server IP addresses are specified.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, make sure that the IP addresses of the DNS and WINS servers on your network are specified correctly in your TCP/IP settings.

MORE INFORMATION

To verify that the relevant IP addresses are correct, follow these steps:
  1. On the desktop, right-click My Network Places, and then click Properties.
  2. Right-click the appropriate connection object, and then click Properties.
  3. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click Properties.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. Click DNS, and then click Add. In the DNS Server box, type the IP address of the DNS server to use to resolve DNS fully qualified domain names (FQDN), and then click Add.
  6. Repeat this procedure to add the IP addresses of each DNS server on your network. After adding all DNS server IP addresses, click the arrow buttons to arrange the list of IP addresses in the preferred order of use.
  7. Click WINS, and then click Add. In the WINS Server box, type the IP address of the WINS server to use to resolve NetBIOS names, and then click Add.
  8. Repeat this procedure to add the IP addresses of each WINS server on your network. After adding all WINS server IP addresses, click the arrow buttons to arrange the list of IP addresses in the preferred order of use.
  9. Click OK in the open dialog boxes to close them and to save the new settings.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/3/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB285182
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