Small Business Server logon

[salla mander]

I have a Small Business Server that stopped authenticating logons. Single server and 3 client machines running win 98.

When I try to log on from a client machine (all were working fine previously) I get an error message stating that no domain controller is available to verify my password. I click OK and it loads my desktop. All my shortcuts to folders on the server work. I can log in to the SQL database running on the same SBS, I am also obtaining an IP from this server.

I did two things prior to this issues.
1. Installed some updates from microsoft\windowsupdates
2. Changed a users profile from Power user to Administrators

I have rebooted all machines including the server and continue to get this problem.

How can a Single Primary Domain controller not authenticate logon? It isnt a failed service, at least event viewer does not show anything of that sort.

[DVNT1]

If this is an Active Directory domain then...

On a workstation, run IPCONFIG /all ...make note of the machines LAN IP address and first DNS Server address.

Go to the server, run IPCONFIG ...compare this IP address to your DNS IP address (it should be the same unless you have a separate AD integrated DNS server).

Then test connectivity by pinging the workstation to the server IP, and then by Server name.

[salla mander]

I get connectivity. The server is assigning an IP address, both at boot up and if I /release /renew. Once inside windows I have access to the shared folders located on this server. (unless I escape past the log on screen). I can also access the SQL database running on this server.

What this server isnt doing is authenticating logons. But then again it must be otherwise I would have no access to the shared folders. But it still tells me no server available to verify password.

I think one of the patches broke something, I am going to try and undo them and see where that leaves me.

[DVNT1]

Are you using Active Directory?

What about the DNS IP address, is it pointing to an AD integrated DNS server?

[salla mander]

Weirdest damn thing. I went in this morning and the thing had fixed itself!

An employee had logged in just fine, as if nothing had been wrong. But yesterday all computers and all 3 user accounts were getting the same message of no server to validate password.

And yes, I am using active directory. All DNS addys are correct. No idea what caused it but the windoz gremlims fixed it for me.