DOCUMENT:Q175935 09-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :NBTSTAT -A May Return Host not Found Error Message PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kberrmsg kbnetwork ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you run a "Nbtstat -A" command to get a computer's NetBIOS name, you may receive the following error message: Host not found. For example: nbtstat -A a.b.c.d Where a.b.c.d is the IP address of the target computer. The expected result is the NetBIOS Remote Machine Name Table from the target computer. CAUSE ===== The NetBIOS Interface device on the target computer is not started. RESOLUTION ========== To resolve this issue, verify that the NetBIOS Interface device is set to start either Automatically or Manually and that the Messenger service is set to start Automatically. Perform the following steps on the target computer: 1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click the Services icon, and select the Messenger service. 3. Click Startup, click Automatic, click OK, and then click Close. 4. Double-click the Devices icon in Control Panel, and select the NetBIOS Interface device. 5. Click Startup, click either Automatic or Manual, click OK, and click Close. 6. Restart the computer. NOTE: Simply starting the NetBIOS Interface device is not sufficient. The NetBIOS Interface device must be reset by a NetBIOS application such as the Messenger service. MORE INFORMATION ================ The Nbtstat.exe utility, when used with the parameters "-A ", sends a Node Status Request directly to the given IP address: NBT: NS: Query req. for *<00...(15)> and receives the NetBIOS name from the Node Status Response: NBT: NS: Query (Node Status) resp. for *<00...(15)>, Success This request is handled on the target computer by the NetBIOS Interface device (Netbios.sys). By default, the startup of this device is set to Manual so that it is only started on demand. The Messenger service (which is started Automatically), is by default the only service shipped with Windows NT that relies on the NetBIOS Interface device. Therefore, if the Messenger service is Disabled or not started, then the NetBIOS Interface device is not started and causes this issue. Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kberrmsg kbnetwork Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : winnt:4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= 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.