You deploy SQL Server 2000 by using the hard disk image of another computer where SQL Server 2000 is installed. If you use SQL Server Enterprise Manager to configure a replication distributor, the configuration of the distributor may not be successful, and you receive the following error message:
SQL Server Enterprise Manager could not configure '<Server>\<Instance>' as the Distributor for '<Server>\<Instance>' .
Error 18483: Could not connect to server '<Server>\<Instance>' because 'distributor_admin' is not defined as a remote login at the server.
CAUSE
When you deploy SQL Server 2000 from a hard disk image of another computer where SQL Server 2000 is installed, the network name of the imaged computer is retained in the new installation. The incorrect network name causes the configuration of the replication distributor to fail. The same problem occurs if you rename the computer after SQL Server is installed.