Cannot Connect to LAN If Computer Name Includes Hyphen (281543)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 for the Handheld PC 2000
This article was previously published under Q281543

SYMPTOMS

Your desktop computer name may not be resolved on the LAN if the computer name contains characters such as a hyphen (-).

CAUSE

Under Windows CE 3.0, functions such as GetHostByName resolve names by using either NetBIOS or Domain Name System (DNS). If any of the following conditions is true, NetBIOS is used to resolve the computer name:
  • The first character is an alphabetical character.
  • Characters after the first character are either alphabetical or numerical characters, or underscores (_).
  • The name is less than 16 characters long.
If your desktop computer name does not meet these conditions and is not registered in DNS, name resolution on the Handheld PC (H/PC) 2000 does not succeed because communication cannot be established. You may also not be able to connect if you try to connect to your network by using Microsoft ActiveSync 3.1.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, change the computer name of the computer you are trying to connect to, or register the computer name in DNS.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/30/2003
Keywords:kbenv kbnetwork kbprb KB281543
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.