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(836413) - Describes a problem where users of Macintosh computers cannot connect to Windows-based resources on a local network when the domain name uses the .local extension.

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Microsoft Knowledge Base Article

This article contents is Microsoft Copyrighted material.
©2005-©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Trademarks

Article ID: 836413 - Last Review: June 9, 2008 - Revision: 4.1

You receive an "unexpected error occurred" error message when you try to access resources on a Windows-based network from your Macintosh computer

System TipThis article applies to a different version of Windows than the one you are using. Content in this article may not be relevant to you. Visit the Windows Vista Solution Center

SYMPTOMS

When you use an Apple Macintosh computer that is running Mac OS X 10.2.x or later on a Microsoft Windows-based network, and you try to connect to local network resources, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:
Sorry, the operation could not be completed because an unexpected error occurred (Error code -50).
When you try to join an Apple Macintosh computer that is running Mac OS X 10.2.x or later to a domain by using the Active Directory plug-in for Directory Access, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:
An invalid Domain and Forest combination was specified. You should enter a fully-qualified DNS name for the domain and forest.
You receive these error messages when the Windows domain name uses the .local extension, and you try to connect to resources by using a fully qualified domain name. You can still connect to local or external network resources by using their IP addresses. Additionally, when you try to join an Apple Macintosh computer that is running Mac OS X 10.2.x or later to a domain by using the Active Directory plug-in for Directory Access, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:
An invalid Domain and Forest combination was specified. You should enter a fully-qualified DNS name for the domain and forest.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because by default, Mac OS X treats any fully qualified domain name that uses the .local extension as a Rendezvous host. Rendezvous is an Apple networking technology.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, configure Mac OS X to look up domain names that use the .local extension by using standard Domain Name System (DNS) resolution in addition to Rendezvous. To do this, use the procedure that is mentioned in the "107800: Mac OS X 10.3: How to Look Up '.local' Hostnames via Both Rendezvous and Standard DNS" AppleCare Support article. To view this article, visit the following Apple Web site:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107800 (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107800)
Note The procedure that is mentioned in this article also applies to Mac OS X Jaguar (10.2.x).

Important The procedure that this article describes permits you to connect to resources on a .local domain by using the FQDN. However, for the Active Directory plug-in to work with a .local domain, you must update Mac OS X 10.3.2 or earlier to Mac OS X 10.3.3 or later.

For more information about updating to the latest version of Mac OS X, visit the following Apple Web site:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106704 (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106704)

STATUS

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

MORE INFORMATION

When you plan your network, avoid assigning your domain a name that uses the .local extension.

For more information and support for this problem, visit the following Apple Web site:
http://www.apple.com/support/ (http://www.apple.com/support/)
For more information about the Multicast DNS feature of Rendezvous, visit the following Apple Web site:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107174 (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107174)
For more information about Multicast DNS, visit the following Multicast DNS Web site:
http://www.multicastdns.org (http://www.multicastdns.org)
For information about how to contact the third-party companies mentioned in this article, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vendors (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vendors)

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition
  • Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Keywords: 
kbtshoot kbprb KB836413
       

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