DNS problem

hi

we have 4 dns servers, so have gone down for some strange reason. they dont not contain any of the zone file in he forward or reseve zones. It wont let me create then and give me a invaild data error not matter what i create. this comes up in the event viewer of the affected servers,

The DNS server was unable to open the Active Directory. This DNS server is configured to use directory service information and can not operate without access to the directory. The DNS server will wait for the directory to start. If the DNS server is started but the appropriate event has not been logged, then the DNS server is still waiting for the directory to start.

AND

The DNS server was unable to open Active Directory. This DNS server is configured to obtain and use information from the directory for this zone and is unable to load the zone without it. Check that the Active Directory is functioning properly and reload the zone. The event data is the error code.

You can ping the servers and students can still access there work on thr servers, the AD is working fine on the other servers but has issues on these 2 servers. they havent drop network connection and hardware seems fine. rep is not happen because the dns is buggered.

any one help?

Mark

Have you checked your IP config to make sure the DNS servers are referenced? What does ipconfig /all show?

Have you tried running a netdiag & dcdiag? Are these DCs? Is so, try How To Use Netdom.exe to Reset Machine Account Passwords of a Windows 2000 Domain Controller (applies to 2k3 as well)

Are there any directory services errors on the two (?) DNS servers which are playing up? Assuming you're using AD integrated DNS (default) then the AD must be running before DNS info can be read.

What else is on the DNS servers? It's often quicker, easier, safer to dcpromo down/up to get faults like this fixed (assuming your other DCs are all fine!)

can you ping ok via name and ip address and what about trace route what happens when you do an nslookup ?