SQL2000/2005 Logon Via Windows Group

I've come up against a wall with regards to adding login via a windows group. My end goal is to be able to manage sysadmin access to many servers via a domain group instead of via individual logins at each server.

I've got a mix of 2000 and 2005 servers, with a related issue for each. Searching far and wide has come up empty so far.

In each case below, the a login for the group was created via EM/SSMS, and set with the sysadmin role.

1. Domain Local Group

I added a domain local group "domainsql accounts" with myself among others as members, including the domain account for the sql and agent services.

Adding this group to SQL2005 worked fine, and authenticates my login as a member of this group. Oddly, xp_logininfo [domainsql accounts] , 'members' returns error code 0x8ac.
It does log me in, and it does correctly grant me sysadmin.

Adding this group to SQL2000 from EM, the group does not appear in the list for the domain. Typing it manually does recognize it as a group, but it does not allow login.

Review:
2000 fails login, fails xp_logininfo
2005 allows login, fails xp_logininfo

2. Domain Global Group

Next, I added a global group "domainsql dba", with myself among others as members.
This group IS viewable in SQL2000 EM to add as a login. Unfortunately, I still cannot login via windows auth. Even stranger, xp_logininfo [domainsql dba] , 'members' correctly returns the members of this group. I know SQL can authenticate that group, and I am part of that group, yet it won't authenticate my login?

SQL2005 fails to allow login but will also return member info via xp_logininfo.

Review:
2000 fails login, returns xp_logininfo
2005 fails login, returns xp_logininfo

The closest thing I found was a MS kb entry that suggested creating a local group, adding the domain group as a member of the local group, and adding a login for the local group. It didn't work.

Thanks for any offered suggestions

Chris