Folder Redirection via Group Policy: Potential Network Problems with DFS. (Maybe WINS?)

we have 8 buildings. each building had own file server , dc. buildings connected 1 gb fiber loop. users had "my documents" folders redirected building's file server via group policy. use windows xp.

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in effort consolidate, deployed new file server @ main building. using migration tools microsoft , dfs, migrated servers in each of branch buildings new main server. unc paths old servers preserved. group policy objects each building still redirect users' "my documents" files old unc paths.

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for majority of users working fine. example, in building1 logs in, "my docs" folder redirected "\\wsfile1\staffdata\username" , goes across fiber wan new file server's dfs share building. however, there users having problems. when log in see following error message:

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at first thought user didn't have access share reason, whether network or permissions. other users in same building have access , operating normally. tried following things in efforts troubleshoot problem:

• logged same user different computer works: worked properly, , "my docs" folder redirected , synchronized properly. it's not permissions issue.
• logged different users computer: tried users did , did not have profile on computer because wanted see if profile-related. received same errors original user. not profile issue.
• logged computer domain admin local admin rights computer: same errors occurred.
• i re-initialized offline files cache (folder options, ctrl+shift [delete files]) , rebooted. log in user account , works perfectly. however, on next reboot, goes being broken error messages.
• removed computer domain, deleted computer account, reconnected it: errors remained.
• ping wsfile1:  successful steady <1ms ping times ip address of new centralized dfs file server.
• pathping wsfile1:  perfect results.
• flushed dns on computer
• flushed arpcache on switches in building.
• we have wins on network, , noticed expired entries wsfile1 old ip address before consolidation. deleted entries servers couple days ago safe. changes have replicated.
• i went start --> run , entered \\wsfile1\staffdata on computer has problem , doesn't work. not go across network share though pings resolve correctly. instead opens local cached copy of folder displays synchronized copy of user's docs folder. when reinitialized offline file cache in steps above, unc path worked fine until next reboot.

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based on these last tests mentioned above, have feeling might problem wins? i'm not sure how go fixing that. guidance (or other theories) appreciated.

issue solved:

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the problem namespaces each of 3 affected buildings did not have "clients fail preferred targets" option turned on. other sites , buildings working correctly had setting turned on. other sites migrated 1 @ time local file server new centrally located dfs server. 3 buldings experienced issue , had missing setting migrated @ same time-- possibly accounts difference. enabled setting , works should.

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Windows Server  >  File Services and Storage