Hello all, I have a Windows Server 2008 domain with AD. I am trying to join this domain from my Windows 7 Professional client, but unfortunately it fails. The error message I get is basically: "The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it." So it finds the Domain Controller and authentication works fine, it just cannot get past this. The event log doesn't say much. It says the time service gets shut down due to some error or some such and a lot of successful audit (security) things. No more. Any help would be appreciated.

Hello, which service is mentioned in the error message? Is netlogon service started? Please make sure that your client computer is pointing to your internal DNS server as primary one. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner 2010 / 2011 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 7, Configuring Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator

No service is mentioned in the error. The primary DNS is pointed to the server. Netlogon is not started. Starting it gives me the infamous error: "The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it."

Make sure that Workstation service is running and then try to restart it. Which account is used to start it? This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner 2010 / 2011 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 7, Configuring Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator

The workstation service is running. Restarting it doesn't seem to help. What do you mean by "which account"? I am running as a local admin, if that helps.

Run it using local system account. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner 2010 / 2011 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 7, Configuring Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator

I am already running on a local administrator account, which should give the maximum number of privileges available. There is no system account/group that I can see?

Run services.msc, select netlogon and go to its properties, click on Log On and then select Local System Account. Once done, start the service. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner 2010 / 2011 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 7, Configuring Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator

Ah, I see! Unfortunately, the service is already set to log on using the local system account. Tried setting it and starting it again - but no luck.

Ah, I see! Unfortunately, the service is already set to log on using the local system account. Tried setting it and starting it again - but no luck. EDIT: A fresh reboot has now seemingly solved the problem.