XP DNS problem in Windows NT network

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From: Dan Bielaski (Bielaski_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 12/29/04 

Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 05:29:06 -0800

Our Agency has a Windows NT network with the PDC serving as a DNS server and
WINS server as well. This configuration has had no problems at all with the
Windows NT clients, but we are now adding Windows XP Pro (SP1) clients onto
the network. For the most part, the XP clients seem to participate
successfully: no problems joining the domain, and accessing most resources.

However, there seems to be a latent defect with Windows XP in terms of DNS
resolution when working with the NT DNS server. Almost all of the time after
the XP computers are logged onto in the morning, addresses resolved by the NT
DNS server do not initially work (i.e. Internet Explorer will produce a "Page
cannot be displayed" error). a PING or TRACERT will fail to even resolve the
name involved.
However, DNS resolution to the ISP provider (for those users who have
authorized Internet access) doesn't seem to be affected by this problem.

I believe it is a defect with XP because if I merely stop, and then restart,
the "DNS Client" service, the address resolutions from the NT DNS server
start working as expected. In fact, I have added these stop/start commands
to most users' logon scripts as a "temporary workaround". However, this is
not acceptible for the long term because the users must also be given
Administrator priveleges in order for the NET command to work in the logon
scripts.

I tried reporting this defect to the computer manufacturer (as Windows XP is
an OEM installation), but they claim they cannot get involved with a
Microsoft problem. I have not read anywhere that there is any limitation on
running a Windows XP client in an NT server configuration. I also searched
the knowledge base and Internet without much success. If anyone can offer
any insight (i.e. Is this a known limitation, are there any other more
acceptible workarounds that might be tried, etc), I would be most
appreciative.

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