Repairing a Corrupted WINS Database w/ Starting Version Count

• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SUMMARY

This article explains how you may increase the Starting Version Count within WINS preferences to repair WINS database corruption.

MORE INFORMATION

To repair WINS database corruption, you may modify the Starting Version Count (also called Starting Version ID) within WINS preferences to increase the Highest Version ID of the Local Database. You may set this Starting Version ID only to a higher value than the existing Highest Version ID. After you set it to a higher value you may not lower it without deleting the databases and reinstalling Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS).

NOTE: Although the terms Starting Version ID and Highest Version ID contain the word Version they do not refer to a particular released version of the product, but to the number of entries in the WINS database. Therefore, you may use any number that is a higher value than the current Starting Version ID. For additional information, refer to the EXAMPLES section below.

To modify the Starting Version ID in the registry:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system- wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

1. Under the subtree HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, select the following subkey:

         \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WINS\Parameters
   

   The following parameters for the Starting Version count appear:

         VersCounterStartVal_LowWord: REG_DWORD
         VersCounterStartVal_HighWord: REG_DWORD
   

2. Select the parameter you want to modify. If you are unsure about which parameter to select, read the EXAMPLES section below.

3. From the Edit menu, choose DWORD.

4. Type the higher hexadecimal value and choose OK.

EXAMPLES

A Starting Version ID of FF78 hexadecimal (hex) appears as:

   VersCounterStartVal_LowWord: REG_DWORD:0x0000FF78
   VersCounterStartVal_HighWord: REG_DWORD:0x00000000

As the number of database entries grows the VersCounterStartVal_LowWord value increases until it reaches 0xFFFFFFFF hex that is the maximum number for a double word hexadecimal value. If you want to increment this number by one, you need to start using the VersCounterStartVal_HighWord counter. For the starting Version ID of 100000000 hex, both parameters appear as follows:

   VersCounterStartVal_LowWord: REG_DWORD:0x00000000
   VersCounterStartVal_HighWord: REG_DWORD:0x00000001

   VersCounterStartVal_LowWord: REG_DWORD:0x00000001
   VersCounterStartVal_HighWord: REG_DWORD:0x00000001

   VersCounterStartVal_LowWord: REG_DWORD:0xF6F782B3
   VersCounterStartVal_HighWord: REG_DWORD:0x0000012F