NetBIOS CacheTimeout Explanation (188655)

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SYMPTOMS

There is an error in the documentation of the NetBIOS cachetimout registry entry. In both the TCP/IP Implementation Details Version 2.0 white paper and the Windows NT Resource Kit, the low end of the valid range is documented as being in decimal and the high end of the range is documented in hex, as seen below:

   CacheTimeout
   Key: Netbt\Parameters
   Value Type: REG_DWORD - Time in milliseconds
   Valid Range: 60000 to 0xFFFFFFFF
   Default: 0x927c0 ( 600000 milliseconds = 10 minutes)

   Description: This value determines the time interval that names are
   cached in the remote name table.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" online Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

The correct entry should look like:

   CacheTimeout
   Key: Netbt\Parameters
   Value Type: REG_DWORD - Time in milliseconds
   Valid Range: 0xEA60 to 0xFFFFFFFF
   Default: 0x927c0 ( 600000 milliseconds = 10 minutes)

   Description: This value determines the time interval that names are
   cached in the remote name table.