Windows 2003 domain PDC emulator down and users unable to login

My environment:
Windows Server 2003 in Native Mode
1st domain controller (DC1): PDC emulator, Global Catalog, DNS, WINS &
DHCP.
2nd domain controller (DC2): Global Catalog, DNS, WINS
Workstations: All Windows XP Pro, most with SP1 & rest with SP2
DNS on both servers contain all the records for both controllers. So
does WINS.
The domain has been up since June 2005 with no major or even minor
problems AD wise.

My problem:
After hours, installed an application on DC1 (PDC emulator) which
required a reboot. During the reboot process, I was unable to login to
the domain from any XP workstation. Repeated login attempts failed.
Only after DC1 came back on-line was I able to login to the domain from
an XP workstaion. I was able to login to the domain on DC2 while DC1
was down though as you would expect.

In our labs, I took 3 PCs and brought up a Windows 2000 domain (native
mode) with the above configuration. 2 PCs for the DC1 & DC2 and 1 PC
for the WinXP Pro. Same login failure when DC1 (PDC emulator) is
powered off. Then duplicated the environment above with a Windows 2003
domain with same failed login result.

Question:
Everyone, who is anyone, claims that if all of your DCs are also Global
Catalogs then when the first installed DC (usually the one that will be
the PDC emulator) is off-line, workstations can still login to the
domain. This is not my experience. Anyone have any clues or suggestons
on why?

Thanks,
Vern

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Windows 2003 domain PDC emulator down and users unable to login
    ... 1st domain controller (DC1): PDC emulator, Global Catalog, DNS, WINS & ... Workstations: All Windows XP Pro, most with SP1 & rest with SP2 ... Repeated login attempts failed. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.active_directory)
  • Re: unable to resolve domain name
    ... The setup of DC1 was done before I was to hire to clean the mess. ... Nslookup is unable to login to the ... > your ISP's DNS anywhere except as a forwarder. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.dns)
  • Re: Windows 2003 domain PDC emulator down and users unable to login
    ... > DNS on both servers contain all the records for both controllers. ... I was unable to login to> the domain from any XP workstation. ... Same login failure when DC1 (PDC emulator) is> powered off. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.active_directory)
  • Replication issues with Win2003
    ... two DCs at one site (Originally DC1 contained the PDC emulator and the RID ... They would be able to connect DC2 where their home drives are located. ... all connectivity tests pass including DC3. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.active_directory)
  • Re: AD Dcs not equal ?
    ... I suspect that DC1 is the PDC emulator? ... > As far as we can tell replication is working correctly between the DCs ... > Al Blake, Canberra, Australia ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
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