Unable to join the domain with Windows 7 professional

I've just received a new laptop with a ghosted Windows 7 Professional image. When I go join the machine to the domain I see the 'Domain' text box greyed out (the system is in Spanish) :

My local account has administrator rights. To verify it's not my account that's at fault I've enabled the Administrator account and tried to join, logging in with that account, without any success. Does anyone know why that box is greyed out? The 'Network ID' button is also greyed out in the system properties dialogue box.

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7 Answers

Check the Device Manager and make sure the network card is ok.

Also check to make sure the correct protocols are installed. Right Click the NIC and choose properties. "Client for Microsoft Network" etc should all be there.

You also want to check your Services. Computer Browser, WorkStation, Netlogon, etc should be running.

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It would appear that there was something wrong with the image used to ghost the machine from. A re-install from scratch using the DVD resolved the problem.

Hmm, I thought for sure the "Computer Browsing Service" would be the culprit. Or even "Client for Microsoft Network". I would try unpluging the computer from the network and reboot, see if that will help. If not try changing the computer name. Some more things you could try:

Removing all instances of "WORKGROUP" from the registry

Seeing if there is some kind of hidden GPO preventing change

If none of that works, well poop, we'll have to find something outlandish to try! Good luck!

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Downgrade it to home and then upgrade it to pro again using the windows anytime upgrade.Make sure you have the anytime upgrade keys. I just did mine and it worked perfectly.

Hi guys I know that this topic is old but I just found the way to fix it without formating the pc.

I've tryed every tip available on internet but it just doesnt works, so my last try was to unninstal the service pack 1, and that did the trick.

You just have to locate the kb and unninstal.

I hope this helps anyone that have this same problem.

Steps to try:

1. Do you have the correct DNS settings (the primary server should be a Windows AD DNS server).
2. Is "Client for Microsoft Networks" listed on the network adapter properties?
3. If you have access to the AD, add your computer first, then see if it lets you join.

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Had the same problem with Windows 7 Enterprise, and it was resolved by generating a new SID and changing the name of the PC to something new (I used NewSID for that).

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