Event ID 3870: Not a Valid Computer Name (166184)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q166184

SYMPTOMS

When you restart a computer running Windows NT, the following error occurs:
Event ID: 3870
Source: workstation
<computer name> is not a valid computer name.

CAUSE

A possible static entry in the WINS database is the cause of this problem.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, remove the static entry from the WINS database.

MORE INFORMATION

If the WINS server is multi-homed, check for split registration. If the WINS server has split registration, configure the Primary and Secondary WINS entries on both network adapters with the IP address of only one of the adapters.

The Event ID: 3870 will usually occur first. It causes a cascade of failures that may include the following error messages:
Event ID: 7023
Source: Service Control Manager Error
The Workstation service terminated with the following error:
A duplicate name exists on the network.
Event ID: 7001
Source: Service Control Manager
The Messenger service depends on the Workstation service which failed to start because of the following error:
A duplicate name exists on the network.
Event ID: 7002
Source: Service Control Manager
The TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service depends on the NetworkProvider group and no member of this group started.
Event ID: 7001
Source: Service Control Manager Error
The Computer Browser service depends on the Workstation service, which failed to start because of the following error:
A duplicate name exists on the network.
Event ID: 7001
Source: Service Control Manager Error
The Alerter service depends on the Workstation service which failed to start because of the following error:
A duplicate name exists on the network.
Event ID: 3870
Source: Workstation
<computer name> is not a valid computer name.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/30/2004
Keywords:kbnetwork kbprb KB166184
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