Event ID 3051 Is Caused by an Incorrect Netlogon Registry Key (318936)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q318936
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

If the Netlogon service does not start automatically and you cannot start it manually, you may see either of the following entries in Event Viewer:
WARNING: Netlogon Event 3051:
The registry or the information you just typed includes an illegal value for "DBFlag".

-or-

WARNING: Netlogon Event 3051: The registry information you just typed includes an illegal value for %1.

CAUSE

These error messages can occur if entries under the following registry key on the domain controller are missing, incorrect, or corrupted:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon

RESOLUTION

WARNING: 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 issue, replace the Netlogon registry key with a copy from a working computer:
  1. On a working backup domain controller, start Registry Editor.
  2. Locate and then click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon

  3. On the Registry menu, click Export Registry Key. Export the registry key to a .reg file.
  4. Transfer the .reg file to the computer on which the Netlogon service cannot start.
  5. Double-click the .reg file.
  6. When you are prompted to verify that you want to add the registry information, click Yes.
  7. Click OK.
  8. Restart the server.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

245086 Netlogon Event 3051, with Invalid Registry Entry in Event Viewer

258805 Event ID 3051 and 5706 on Domain Controllers

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/11/2002
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB318936
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.