Keep your hair on I've compated your answer file with mine, and found one major difference: [Identification] JoinDomain=%MACHINEDOMAIN% DoOldStyleDomainJoin=Yes AFAIK this is how Setup Manager configured it, and it's been working without problems for years. Of course, this means the account that is used to log on during the RIS text phase needs to have permissions to create computer accounts, but we have a generic installation account just for that purpose.