Cannot get my two XP Client machines to join my Server domain

[RMSistight]

I have three machines for my MCSE lab. Two are Windows XP Professional machines and one is a Server 2003. I've already promoted my Server to Active Directory with DNS and DHCP setups.

All of my machines are updated with the latest service packs. Both XP machines are loaded with SP2 while the Server is loaded with SP1. I have Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition installed on the Server computer. ALL software loaded onto the machines are fully licensed, legitamate operating systems.

I can ping the client computers to each other, but none of clients can ping the Server whatsoever. These computers are hooked up to a router and these computers are in a network of their own. No connection to the internet whatsoever. All the firewalls are turned off on all three machines. I use a KVM to switch between the three computers and after many attempts, I still cannot get my XP clients to connect or even PING to the Server.

Here is the IP address info:

Server (Windows Server 2003)
IP = 192.168.10.1
Subnet = 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway = 192.168.10.1
Preferred DNS = 192.168.10.1

Client 1 (Windows XP Professional)
IP = 192.168.10.10
Subnet = 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway = 192.168.10.1
Preferred DNS = 192.168.10.1

Client 2 (Windows XP Professional)
IP = 192.168.10.2
Subnet = 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway = 192.168.10.1
Preferred DNS = 192.168.10.1

I can PING the clients to each other (192.168.10.10 + 192.168.10.2) but I simply can't PING the Server (192.168.10.1). I'm hooked up to a Belkin Router.

I've done this before and I got computers to join my domain without a hitch even on Virtual PC. Now I have a physical setup running with no luck. I also installed a new NIC card on the Server machine because the onboard NIC wouldn't not function correctly since there are no nForce3 drivers for Server 2003. I also received STOP error messages with reference to 0x0000007E. I'm thinking it's incompatible video drivers since I'm running a GeForce2 MX video card but I haven't installed any video drivers whatsoever. I have tried to install XP/2000 nForce3 drivers to my Server 2003 machine which generated the STOP message. I think this is all the info for now. If you have any question let me know so I can give you more details.

 

[nweaver]

usually it's a DNS issue if you can't join the domain. I looks like your clients ARE pointed to the DC for DNS. I would check the DNS portion, make sure it looks right (last time I setupAD, it messed up and I had to manually create the stuff).

 

[RMSistight]

Originally posted by: nweaver
usually it's a DNS issue if you can't join the domain. I looks like your clients ARE pointed to the DC for DNS. I would check the DNS portion, make sure it looks right (last time I setupAD, it messed up and I had to manually create the stuff).

How do I check the DNS to see if it's correct or not?

 

[JonnyBlaze]

remove the gateway & dns info from the server

Default Gateway = 192.168.10.1
Preferred DNS = 192.168.10.1

 

[stash]

Originally posted by: JonnyBlaze
remove the gateway & dns info from the server

Default Gateway = 192.168.10.1
Preferred DNS = 192.168.10.1

Gateway, maybe. Definitely don't remove the DNS. It should point to itself, which it is.

OP, you said the clients can't even ping the server. Have you checked to make sure the SP1 firewall is not enabled?