KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q199714: Cannot Join Domain Because of SMB Signing

Article: Q199714
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 11-JUN-2002

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS
========

The following error message is displayed when you attempt to add a computer
running Windows NT to the domain:

  Unable to connect to the domain controller for this domain. Either
  the username or password entered is incorrect.

The error message is displayed even though networking is enabled and the correct
administrator name and password credentials were supplied.

CAUSE
=====

SMB Signing has been enabled and set to required. SMB is also known as the
Common Internet File System (CIFS) file sharing protocol.

RESOLUTION
==========

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems
that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot
guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor
incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

There are two different ways of resolving this problem:

Option 1:

Temporarily disable SMB Signing on the PDC.

NOTE: This option is required to get a backup domain controller (BDC)
successfully added to the domain.

1. Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2. From the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, go to the following key:

  System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters

3. Set the following value to 0:

  Name: RequireSecuritySignature
  Type: REG_DWORD
  Value: 0 (disable), 1 (enable)

  NOTE: The default is 0 (disable)

4. Click OK and then quit Registry Editor.

5. Shut down and restart Windows NT.

Option 2:

Temporarily join a workgroup, and then enable SMB Signing on the member server or
workstation prior to joining the domain.

NOTE: Windows NT Workstation Service Pack 3 or later has SMB Signing enabled by
default. Windows NT Server has SMB Signing disabled by default.

To re-enable SMB Signing on a computer running Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Service
Pack 3 or later:

1. Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2. From the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, go to the following key:

  \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Rdr\Parameters

3. Click Add Value on the Edit menu.

4. Modify the following value:

  Value Name: EnableSecuritySignature
  Data Type: REG_DWORD
  Data: 1

  NOTE: The default is 1 (enable)

5. Click OK and then quit Registry Editor.

6. Shut down and restart Windows NT.

To enable SMB Signing on a computer running Windows NT Server Service Pack 3 or
later:

1. Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2. From the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, go to the following key:

  System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters

3. Set the following value to 1:

  Name: EnableSecuritySignature
  Type: REG_DWORD
  Value: 1

  NOTE: The default is 0 (disable)

4. Click OK and then quit Registry Editor.

5. Shut down and restart Windows NT.

MORE INFORMATION
================

For more information on SMB Signing, please see the following article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q161372 How to Enable SMB Signing in Windows NT

Additional query words: SMB Signing password incorrect

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : :4.0
Issue type        : kbprb

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.