System Preparation Tool Does Not Update the Host Name (246793)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q246793 IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you
modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore
the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the
registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry
SYMPTOMS
When you use System Preparation Tool for Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 to create a duplicate computer configuration (an image), the host name is not updated on the clone computer. As a result, all of the computer images produced from the master computer have the same Domain Name Server (DNS) host name.
CAUSE
This behavior occurs because the System Preparation Tool for Windows NT Server 4.0 does not support a parameter for specifying the host name.
RESOLUTIONWARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve
problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own
risk.
To resolve this behavior, create a batch file to change the host name in the registry so it matches the computer name, and place the batch file in the RunOnce registry key of the master computer. Follow these steps:
- On the master computer, in Notepad, create a Host.cmd file that
contains the following text:
start %SystemRoot%\System32\Regchg.exe
System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters Hostname REG_SZ
%computername%
- Copy the Regchg.exe utility to the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder of
the master computer.
NOTE: The Regchg.exe utility is in the Windows NT Server
4.0 Resource Kit. - Add the Host.cmd file to the RunOnce key in the registry of the
master computer:
- Start Registry Editor (Regedt32) and locate the following
key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- Add a new registry value to run the Host.cmd file:
- On the Edit menu, click Add Value.
- Type an arbitrary value name (such as Host) in the Value
Name box.
- In the Data Type box, click REG_SZ, and then click
OK.
- In the String box, type the path to the Host.cmd file, and
then click OK.
- Quit Registry Editor.
NOTE: Do not restart the master computer after you add this
value to the RunOnce key. When you restart the computer, the
Host.cmd batch file runs after you log in and the operating system
removes the value you just added to the RunOnce key. - Use System Preparation Tool for Windows NT Server 4.0 to create a
clone of the master computer.
- Log on to the clone computer.
The Host.cmd file runs, changing the host name so it matches the
computer name. - (Recommended) After you log on to the clone computer, run the
Rdisk utility with the /s option to update the Security Accounts
Manager (SAM) and the security hives in the Repair folder of the
clone computer.
Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 8/27/2002 |
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Keywords: | kbprb KB246793 |
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