DOCUMENT:Q123182 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Setup Accepts Invalid Computer Name that Begins with Braces PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER: OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== 3.50 WINDOWS kbsetup kbbug3.50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== You are unable to complete Windows NT version 3.5 Setup. Setup fails and the following error messages appear: Noncritical Error An error has occurred. External library procedure SetMyComputerName reported the following error: Unable to set the local computer name. You may continue (ignoring the error), retry the operation, or exit Setup. If you choose to ignore the error, Setup may not be able to completely and/or correctly install the software. If you exit, you will have to repeat the Setup process from the beginning. Ignore Retry Exit Setup If you choose Retry, your system beeps. If you choose Ignore, the following STOP message appears: STOP: Setup couldn't modify your computer name. Cannot proceed with Install. After you choose the OK button, the following error message appears: Windows NT 3.5 has not been installed. Remove disks from the floppy disk drives and choose Restart Computer to restart your computer." If you attempt to run Windows NT after you restart the computer, the following error message appears: The system is not fully installed. Please setup again. CAUSE ===== When Setup prompts you for a computer name, you are allowed to create an invalid computer name by entering braces ("{}") as the first two characters of the computer name. The following characters are usually invalid for use in a computer name: /\[]":;|<>+=,?* Due to the way the .INF files in Setup process the computer name, a computer name that begins with braces always passes the validation tests; however, the invalid computer name eventually causes Setup to fail when Setup attempts to register the computer name. RESOLUTION ========== To avoid this problem, do not use braces at the beginning of a computer name. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.5. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available. Additional query words: prodnt ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNT350search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS350search ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.