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Q155595: Server Manager Error: A Machine Account Already Exists

Article: Q155595
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv kbusage
Last Modified: 09-AUG-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you add a new machine account to the domain in Server Manager, you receive
the following error message:

  A Machine Account for <machine name> Already Exists.

You receive this message even though no other machine account with this name
exists in the domain.

CAUSE
=====

A user account name exists with a dollar sign ($) symbol as the last character.
For example, if there is a user account named "Tracey$" and you attempt to add a
machine account named "Tracey," you will receive the error message. By default,
Windows NT saves user account names in the registry as <user name>$.

RESOLUTION
==========

Open User Manager for Domains and either remove or rename the user account.

Additional query words: prodnt

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Keywords          : kbenv kbusage 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search
Version           : winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0

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