Duplicate Computer Account Warning Message

  • Article

The user attempts to use Remote OS Installation to install Windows 2000 on his or her computer, and there is already a Computer object for the computer in Active Directory. The user selects Custom install , and enters the same computer name, but receives a warning message about the duplicate Computer object.

Possible Causes:

  • The existing Computer object has a globally unique identifier (GUID) that does not match the GUID of the client that the user attempts to install.

  • The existing account is in an Active Directory location that is not the same as where the boot information negotiation layer (BINL) is creating a new Computer object.

Diagnostic Tests:

Delete the Computer object from Active Directory, and the Client Installation Wizard creates a new Computer object. Allow Active Directory replication to complete after deleting the Computer object and before trying the Client Installation Wizard again.

Enter the directory service path for the existing Computer object in Custom.osc, or use the Automatic setting and the existing account is reused automatically.