Getting Windows 7 to Work in Samba domain

To get a Windows 7 workstation to join a domain do the following:

Make sure you have one of these Samba versions:

• Samba 3.4.0+
• Samba 3.3.7+

Make these registry setting changes to the Windows 7 client prior to joining a Samba Domain:

        HKLM\System\CCS\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters
            DWORD  DomainCompatibilityMode = 1
            DWORD  DNSNameResolutionRequired = 0

Do not make any other registry edits that have been seen in the wild. If you have already modified your Windows 7 registry, please make sure to reset the keys to their default values. These are some of the keys that get changed and their default values:

       HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Netlogon\Parameters
           DWORD  RequireSignOrSeal = 1
           DWORD  RequireStrongKey = 1

Reboot your Windows 7 workstation after making these changes and before you attempt to join the domain. After the reboot join the domain.

If you get an error about the computer account not existing, try again, it may take two attempts to join the domain. If it persists make sure to check the Samba config to make sure it can create "machine" accounts. You might receive a warning about DNS domain name configuration after the join has succeeded, which can be ignored.

Reference: This information comes from the Samba Wiki.