The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file...

Question

Hello all-
I am currently trying to configure group policy (specifically folder redirects) from a new Windows Server 2008 in my home... the server acts as both an AD DS and file server for 4 client computers, all running Windows Vista Ultimate.
Here are the steps I am currently taking:
I create a new Group Policy called All Users and Computers and apply it to the All Users and Computers OU, which contains exactly what it says (all users and computers in the domain).
I verify that a new folder was created in \\<FQDN>\sysvol\<FQDN>\Policies.  The new folder created is named {6479C8E0-3134-4B4F-B047-7ADD51684684}
I change the GPO Enforced setting to Enforced.
I attempt to use the gpupdate command to see if the group policy can be updated successfully.  In a command prompt, I type gpupdate <enter>.  I receive the message 'Updating Policy...' then after about 15 seconds the message 'User Policy update has completed successfully.'
I keep the cmd window open.  After about 10 seconds another message apperas which says "Computer policy could not be updated successfully.  The following errors were encountered: The processing of Group Policy failed.  Windows attempted to read the file \\<FQDN>\sysvol\<FQDN>\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04Fb984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful.  Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
To diagnose the failure, review the event log or invoke gpmc.msc to access information about Group Policy results."
I confirm that the error code is #3 using the Event Log, "The system cannot find the file specificed"
Of course the system cannot find the file specified because the folder does not exist in the sysvol folder. I am wondering why Windows is trying to read from this location when it does not exist, and is not the new group policy I created!  I have no other group policies linked or enforced to any other OU/Domain/etc.  Any help resolving this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hello all and thanks for the help.  First a few things:
I understand that the DC should not be running RRAS, but this a simple server being used in aa home environment by 4 users and getting another server just for RRAS would be overkill.
Secondly, I currently have it so that while the router is handling DHCP, I have reserved a fixed IP for the server, so it always has 192.168.1.100.  If I were to use the server as the DHCP, what would my hardware configuration have to look like?  I currently have the router plugged into the ISP modem, and then server plugged into the router.  All other clients connect to the router wirelessly.
Here's the dcdiag output.  I tried dcdiag /fix but to no avail.
Directory Server Diagnosis
Performing initial setup:
Trying to find home server...
* Verifying that the local machine KELLERDCFS, is a Directory Server.
Home Server = KELLERDCFS
* Connecting to directory service on server KELLERDCFS.
* Identified AD Forest.
Collecting AD specific global data
* Collecting site info.
Calling ldap_search_init_page(hld,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net,LDAP_SCOPE_SUBTREE,(objectCategory=ntDSSiteSettings),.......
The previous call succeeded
Iterating through the sites
Looking at base site object: CN=NTDS Site Settings,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
Getting ISTG and options for the site
* Identifying all servers.
Calling ldap_search_init_page(hld,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net,LDAP_SCOPE_SUBTREE,(objectClass=ntDSDsa),.......
The previous call succeeded....
The previous call succeeded
Iterating through the list of servers
Getting information for the server CN=NTDS Settings,CN=KELLERDCFS,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
objectGuid obtained
InvocationID obtained
dnsHostname obtained
site info obtained
All the info for the server collected
* Identifying all NC cross-refs.
* Found 1 DC(s). Testing 1 of them.
Done gathering initial info.
Doing initial required tests
Testing server: Default-First-Site-Name\KELLERDCFS
Starting test: Connectivity
* Active Directory LDAP Services Check
Determining IP4 connectivity
Determining IP6 connectivity
* Active Directory RPC Services Check
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test Connectivity
Doing primary tests
Testing server: Default-First-Site-Name\KELLERDCFS
Starting test: Advertising
The DC KELLERDCFS is advertising itself as a DC and having a DS.
The DC KELLERDCFS is advertising as an LDAP server
The DC KELLERDCFS is advertising as having a writeable directory
The DC KELLERDCFS is advertising as a Key Distribution Center
The DC KELLERDCFS is advertising as a time server
The DS KELLERDCFS is advertising as a GC.
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test Advertising
Test omitted by user request: CheckSecurityError
Test omitted by user request: CutoffServers
Starting test: FrsEvent
* The File Replication Service Event log test
Skip the test because the event log File Replication Service does not exist.
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test FrsEvent
Starting test: DFSREvent
The DFS Replication Event Log.
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test DFSREvent
Starting test: SysVolCheck
* The File Replication Service SYSVOL ready test
File Replication Service's SYSVOL is ready
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test SysVolCheck
Starting test: KccEvent
* The KCC Event log test
Found no KCC errors in "Directory Service" Event log in the last 15 minutes.
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test KccEvent
Starting test: KnowsOfRoleHolders
Role Schema Owner = CN=NTDS Settings,CN=KELLERDCFS,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
Role Domain Owner = CN=NTDS Settings,CN=KELLERDCFS,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
Role PDC Owner = CN=NTDS Settings,CN=KELLERDCFS,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
Role Rid Owner = CN=NTDS Settings,CN=KELLERDCFS,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
Role Infrastructure Update Owner = CN=NTDS Settings,CN=KELLERDCFS,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test KnowsOfRoleHolders
Starting test: MachineAccount
Checking machine account for DC KELLERDCFS on DC KELLERDCFS.
* SPN found :LDAP/KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net/keller-pa.net
* SPN found :LDAP/KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net
* SPN found :LDAP/KELLERDCFS
* SPN found :LDAP/KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net/KELLER-PA
* SPN found :LDAP/42268b36-801f-4a6d-b162-34f3b01e04bb._msdcs.keller-pa.net
* SPN found :E3514235-4B06-11D1-AB04-00C04FC2DCD2/42268b36-801f-4a6d-b162-34f3b01e04bb/keller-pa.net
* SPN found :HOST/KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net/keller-pa.net
* SPN found :HOST/KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net
* SPN found :HOST/KELLERDCFS
* SPN found :HOST/KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net/KELLER-PA
* SPN found :GC/KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net/keller-pa.net
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test MachineAccount
Starting test: NCSecDesc
* Security Permissions check for all NC's on DC KELLERDCFS.
* Security Permissions Check for
DC=ForestDnsZones,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
(NDNC,Version 3)
* Security Permissions Check for
DC=DomainDnsZones,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
(NDNC,Version 3)
* Security Permissions Check for
CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
(Schema,Version 3)
* Security Permissions Check for
CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
(Configuration,Version 3)
* Security Permissions Check for
DC=keller-pa,DC=net
(Domain,Version 3)
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test NCSecDesc
Starting test: NetLogons
* Network Logons Privileges Check
Verified share \\KELLERDCFS\netlogon
Verified share \\KELLERDCFS\sysvol
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test NetLogons
Starting test: ObjectsReplicated
KELLERDCFS is in domain DC=keller-pa,DC=net
Checking for CN=KELLERDCFS,OU=Domain Controllers,DC=keller-pa,DC=net in domain DC=keller-pa,DC=net on 1 servers
Object is up-to-date on all servers.
Checking for CN=NTDS Settings,CN=KELLERDCFS,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net in domain CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net on 1 servers
Object is up-to-date on all servers.
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test ObjectsReplicated
Test omitted by user request: OutboundSecureChannels
Starting test: Replications
* Replications Check
* Replication Latency Check
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test Replications
Starting test: RidManager
* Available RID Pool for the Domain is 1600 to 1073741823
* KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net is the RID Master
* DsBind with RID Master was successful
* rIDAllocationPool is 1100 to 1599
* rIDPreviousAllocationPool is 1100 to 1599
* rIDNextRID: 1111
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test RidManager
Starting test: Services
* Checking Service: EventSystem
* Checking Service: RpcSs
* Checking Service: NTDS
* Checking Service: DnsCache
* Checking Service: DFSR
* Checking Service: IsmServ
* Checking Service: kdc
* Checking Service: SamSs
* Checking Service: LanmanServer
* Checking Service: LanmanWorkstation
* Checking Service: w32time
* Checking Service: NETLOGON
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test Services
Starting test: SystemLog
* The System Event log test
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 17:53:59
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 17:59:02
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 18:04:04
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 18:09:06
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 18:14:08
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 18:19:10
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 18:24:12
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 18:29:15
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 18:34:17
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 18:39:19
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
An Error Event occurred. EventID: 0x00000422
Time Generated: 07/07/2009 18:49:23
Event String:
The processing of Group Policy failed. Windows attempted to read the file \\keller-pa.net\sysvol\keller-pa.net\Policies\{6AC1786C-016F-11D2-945F-00C04FB984F9}\gpt.ini from a domain controller and was not successful. Group Policy settings may not be applied until this event is resolved. This issue may be transient and could be caused by one or more of the following:
a) Name Resolution/Network Connectivity to the current domain controller.
b) File Replication Service Latency (a file created on another domain controller has not replicated to the current domain controller).
c) The Distributed File System (DFS) client has been disabled.
......................... KELLERDCFS failed test SystemLog
Test omitted by user request: Topology
Test omitted by user request: VerifyEnterpriseReferences
Starting test: VerifyReferences
The system object reference (serverReference)
CN=KELLERDCFS,OU=Domain Controllers,DC=keller-pa,DC=net and backlink
on
CN=KELLERDCFS,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
are correct.
The system object reference (serverReferenceBL)
CN=KELLERDCFS,CN=Topology,CN=Domain System Volume,CN=DFSR-GlobalSettings,CN=System,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
and backlink on
CN=NTDS Settings,CN=KELLERDCFS,CN=Servers,CN=Default-First-Site-Name,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=keller-pa,DC=net
are correct.
......................... KELLERDCFS passed test VerifyReferences
Test omitted by user request: VerifyReplicas
Test omitted by user request: DNS
Test omitted by user request: DNS
Running partition tests on : ForestDnsZones
Starting test: CheckSDRefDom
......................... ForestDnsZones passed test CheckSDRefDom
Starting test: CrossRefValidation
......................... ForestDnsZones passed test
CrossRefValidation
Running partition tests on : DomainDnsZones
Starting test: CheckSDRefDom
......................... DomainDnsZones passed test CheckSDRefDom
Starting test: CrossRefValidation
......................... DomainDnsZones passed test
CrossRefValidation
Running partition tests on : Schema
Starting test: CheckSDRefDom
......................... Schema passed test CheckSDRefDom
Starting test: CrossRefValidation
......................... Schema passed test CrossRefValidation
Running partition tests on : Configuration
Starting test: CheckSDRefDom
......................... Configuration passed test CheckSDRefDom
Starting test: CrossRefValidation
......................... Configuration passed test CrossRefValidation
Running partition tests on : keller-pa
Starting test: CheckSDRefDom
......................... keller-pa passed test CheckSDRefDom
Starting test: CrossRefValidation
......................... keller-pa passed test CrossRefValidation
Running enterprise tests on : keller-pa.net
Test omitted by user request: DNS
Test omitted by user request: DNS
Starting test: LocatorCheck
GC Name: \\KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net
Locator Flags: 0xe00013fd
PDC Name: \\KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net
Locator Flags: 0xe00013fd
Time Server Name: \\KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net
Locator Flags: 0xe00013fd
Preferred Time Server Name: \\KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net
Locator Flags: 0xe00013fd
KDC Name: \\KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net
Locator Flags: 0xe00013fd
......................... keller-pa.net passed test LocatorCheck
Starting test: Intersite
Skipping site Default-First-Site-Name, this site is outside the scope
provided by the command line arguments provided.
......................... keller-pa.net passed test Intersite
Here's the nslookup from Vista client:
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Users\Andrew>nslookup KELLERDCFS
Server: UnKnown
Address: 192.168.1.100
Name: KELLERDCFS.keller-pa.net
Addresses: 192.168.1.150
192.168.1.100
C:\Users\Andrew>
Thanks again!