For the most part, the NetBIOS name of the server is actually the real name of the server. Chadmat was just saying not to use the IP address as the name, but instead use the NetBIOS name.
I encountered this error after someone had left unfinished a failed attempt to setup ServerA as Publisher using the existing Distributor on ServerB. When I tried to run SQL2000 E/M's "Configure Publishing and Distribution" wizard on ServerA, I got this error. SSMS has separate wizards for Configuring Publishing vs Configuring Distribution, and one of those offered to drop a hidden existing (broken) Publisher partially-defined in metadata on ServerA. The wizard executed sp_dropdistributor @no_checks = 1, @ignore_distributor = 1, and the error 18483 was resolved for all client tools. I surmise a wizard had neglected in the past to create and coordinate the distributor_admin accounts & passwords between ServerA and ServerB; I never found that account on either, and it is apparently required if Publisher and Distributor are on different boxes (or instances?).
Error 18483 while configuring distributor
Posted - 09/09/2002 : 11:28:22
