Windows 2000 uses media-sense which detects if the Network Interface Card (NIC) is connected to the network. If the NIC is not connected to the network Windows 2000 disables the protocols on that adapter. Since ADS requires networking protocols to function correctly this will cause an error.

There are two solutions to this problem.

1) Microsoft provides a LOOPBACK adapter that will resolve this issue. Simply install the Microsoft Loopback Adapter and disable the other Network Adapter when you are disconnected from a network.

2) You can disable the media-sense for TCP/IP protocol using the following steps:

1.. Start the registry editor (regedit.exe)
2.. Move to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesTCPIPParameters
3.. From the Edit menu select New - DWORD value
4.. Enter a name of DisableDHCPMediaSense and press Enter
5.. Double click the new value and set to 1
6.. Click OK
7.. Reboot the computer