KB Issue
Windows computer is not accessible from the network when in a domain.
Issue Details
When connecting to a computer over a domain-controlled network, using its computer name does not work, but using its IP Address does. A dad entry in DNS can cause this.
Recreate Issue
[Scenario #1]
The domain computer is not accessible on the network because another computer has used its IP Address, creating a bad DNS record for the domain computer.
[Scenario #2]
The computer name is incorrect for what you are trying to access.
Resolve Issue
[Scenario #1]
A bad DNS Entry can cause this. Removing the bad entry and rebooting the target computer should resolve this issue.
To remove the bad entry.
  1. Log onto the [DC] (Domain Controller)
  2. Open the [DNS Manager]
  3. Click on the [Computer Name] to expand the tree.
  4. Next, expand the tree for the [Forward Lookup Zones]
  5. Next, click on the [Domain Name]
Search the entries for the computers' [Static IP] address.
Make sure the IP Address matches the correct [Computer Name]
Then look for and delete any other entries using the same IP Address.
For example.
  • DC Computer 01 = 192.168.2.18
  • Other DC Computer = 192.168.2.18
In the above example, we would delete the entry for the [Other DC Computer]
And then reboot the target computer, which in the example would be [DC Computer 01]
  1. Next, Go into the [Active Directory Users and Computers]
  2. Expand the [Domain Name Group]
  3. Click on [Computers]
    4. (Make sure Scenario #2 is not the case before you delete anything in this area.)
  4. Find the offending computer, Example: [Other DC Computer]
  5. Right-Click and [Delete]
[Scenario #2]
The computer name may be incorrect.
    On the Client computer.
  1. Right-click on the [Start Menu]
  2. Choose [System]
  3. Click on [System info]
  4. Under the section, [Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings]
    Computer Name (Make sure this is the correct name; if it is not, proceed to the next step)
  5. Click on [Change settings]
  6. On the [System Properties] Dialog
  7. Click [Change]
  8. Change the computer name to what it is supposed to be, for example: [DC Computer 01]
    Make sure the domain name is accurate.
  9. Click [OK]
  10. Type in your [Username] and [Password]
  11. Click [OK]
  12. Reboot the computer.