Help! Can't add MacBook Air as managed client

Question

Hi,
Running 10.6.8 Server, with just a few managed clients, all of them running Lion now.  I manage things like TimeMachine, Printer settings, and Software Update.  Managed computers include a 2009 MacBook Air and a 2009 Mac Mini.  Works nice.
We just bought a brand new MacBook Air and when I try to add it to the ComputerGroup that is managed, it won't boot. I identify it by its MAC address as a Computer.  It gets stuck during bootup and doesn't get it out of that mode.
I need to force it to shut down, remove it as a member of the managed ComputerGroup, then restart it.
Why would my others boot up OK and not this machine?
Thanks
Alain

Answer 1

I haven't trained on Lion Server yet, but I do know that they've changed the way computers handle profiles and management in Lion.  Both client and server.  It wouldn't surprise me if that's part of the problem. 
That said, I'd weed out hardware failure as well.  Boot the Macbook Air with the Command and R key pressed.  Run the disk utility and check if the hard drive is working properly.  Do a disk first aid check etc.
If all checks out, then likely it's a problem with the managed prefs.  Try and reformat the main drive on the Macbook Air and try to duplicate the problem with the same result.  In otherwords, from a fresh install, bind the computer to the server and try to set up the managed prefs agian.  If the problem is duplicated, then it's indeed a compatibility issue with Lion Client and SL Server. 
-Graham