Adding a server to DFS Folder for replication gives Domain\servername$: The Windows NT 4.0 account name cannot be converted to a fully qualifies distinguisedname on server.domain.local. The name returned with an error.
Issue Details
This issue is not well documented on its cause. Google search returned several pages on this issue, but I couldn't find anything relevant enough to resolve it.
Recreate Issue
I am not sure what caused this issue on my server.
I added a new VM (Virtual Machine) for a 2016 File Server.
Once I added it to the domain, I went to add it to the DFS folder.
It gave me another error.
So, I deleted the Namespace and recreated it, and this is when I found this error.
Not genuinely sure of the cause of it, or how it happens.
But nothing I found online would resolve this issue.
So, I tried something, and it worked. Please continue reading before.
Resolve Issue
You will need to remove the Server from the domain, then add it back. The fastest way is to open an elevated command prompt (Administrator) Copy and paste this line (Replace YouServerNameHere with the actual name of the Server) (Replace YourDomain.local with your actual domain name) Run the following in order
:: Remove Server from Domain
netdom remove YouServerNameHere /domain:YourDomain.local/force:: Reboot Servershutdown/r/t 0
/r
Copy
Search Site
Search Google
= reboot /t 0
Copy
Search Site
Search Google
= Time to reboot is 0, automatic, no wait time.
Once the Server reboots, you will need to log in with the Administrator. And then rejoin the domain. You can rejoin the domain through PowerShell. Open PowerShell with Administrator Privileges. (All below is typed in without the [brackets])
Type sconfig
Copy
Search Site
Search Google
Select 1
Copy
Search Site
Search Google
Choose D
Copy
Search Site
Search Google
Type in the Domain name (Example: My-Domain.local)
Type in your domain username
Then type in the password in the Black Command Window.
Choose whether to change the computer name.
Then select to restart the computer.
Now you should be able to add all the computers to the new DFS folder without any issues.