problem logging xp machine / win 2k machine into samba domain

[ffoss]

Samba works great with win 98, but I have been knocking my head against
the wall trying to join a win 2k and a win xp machine to the network. I
have created the machine accounts (correctly I hope :-) ) machinename$
and user accounts in both Linux and samba. The registry has been changed
on the xp machine.

When I try to join the name I get (with good password and user root)

The following error occurred attempting to join the domain "WG":
The specified user does not exist.

If I try with a bad password (same user name):
The following error occurred attempting to join the domain "WG":
Logon Failure: unknown user name or bad password

It must be matching the user name / password, otherwise why would I get
a different error when I use a bad password????? Unless of course the
first error is the result of the machine name. machine name is fred
machine account is fred$

User root exists in both /etc/passwd and /etc/samba/smbpasswd, but with
different passwords the machine appears in both

What to heck am I missing?????????

Thanx fred