Host Name Error in DNS Properties After Changing Computer Name (271563)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0

This article was previously published under Q271563

SYMPTOMS

You receive the following error message on a computer whose computer name was changed to a 15 character name, after making changes on the DNS tab, in the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) properties:
The new Internet host name is different than the computer name currently in use. Your computer will now be known by one name on your local area network, and by another name on the Internet. If the computer name is ever changed it will overwrite this new host name and the changes will be lost.

CAUSE

When you edit the DNS properties, the network basic input/output system (NetBIOS) name is read for the purpose of comparing the Host name against the NetBIOS name. In this case, the internal NetBIOS name call fails, causing the NetBIOS name to be viewed as blank, in comparison to the Host name.

RESOLUTION

If the 15 character DNS name is the same as the 15 character NetBIOS (computer) name, the error message can be ignored. You should be able to click OK to bypass this message, without experiencing any performance issues, or loss of functionality.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the constraints for NetBIOS names, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

188997 Microsoft NetBIOS Computer Naming Conventions


Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/26/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbenv kberrmsg kbNetBIOS kbprb KB271563