Computers hanging on applying personal settings

DavidQ · 24 Mar 2009 at 09:16

Hi Folks,

I'm not overly sure if this is a server or workstation issue however it seems like the former. In the last week or so a few of the workstations in the office are hanging on "Applying Personal Settings" after they login.

It will sit there for anywhere between 3-15 minutes, I've restarted the domain controller but to no success. Has anyone seen this happen before or can anyone shed any light as to why it may be happening?

Thanks

DQ

iaind · 24 Mar 2009 at 09:20

Check the client DNS settings and make sure your domain controller(s) are working and replicating properly - do a dcdiag on them.

Are you using roaming profiles?

Seaniboy · 24 Mar 2009 at 09:22

Do you use roaming profiles?

DavidQ · 24 Mar 2009 at 09:25

We're not using roaming profiles, I'll try your advice iand; thanks.

iaind · 24 Mar 2009 at 10:13

This type of problem is nearly always DNS related, so that would be my focus...

DavidQ · 24 Mar 2009 at 10:55

The issue was actually a DNS problem. The router at this location had its two ISP dns servers selected first, and our internal DNS server third, no idea why it was set like that. Swapping the order on the DNS entries solved the problem, it now logs on in about 15 seconds. Thanks for the help fellas!

Sp00n · 24 Mar 2009 at 12:38

The clients should point at the server for the DNS and the server should have forwarders setup for the router/isp dns whichever way you want to do it.

iaind · 24 Mar 2009 at 13:00

Agreed - using the DNS forwarding on the router's a bit daft. In the DNS server properties you can specify your ISPs DNS server as a forwarder for "all other domains", then point the clients to the DC - thats best practice.

DavidQ · 24 Mar 2009 at 15:59

I have it reconfigured just as you've described it, I've no idea why it was configured via the router. It was my predecessor who set it up and he's no longer here for a reason

iaind · 24 Mar 2009 at 16:02

Ah, predecessors, the bain of my life!

Sin_Chase · 24 Mar 2009 at 16:22

iaind said:
Ah, predecessors, the bain of my life!

Yup.

I've been into a site running SBS2003 with exchange ready to go but the users still collecting mail from POP because he was too lazy and/or lacking knowledge to fix their public IP and set-up the domain to point at it for proper SMTP.