Computer Name Truncated When Name Resolution Attempted

 Last reviewed: May 20, 1997
Article ID: Q164812
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51 and 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51 and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When name resolution for the Primary Domain Controller (PDC) is required over any of the installed network protocols bound to NetBIOS, and the PDC's machine name is 14 characters or longer, the name queries truncate the computer name to 13 characters, and a negative response occurs. As a result, you may experience one or more of the following:

  • Extra network traffic
  • Long response time with some domain operations
  • Administrative Tools unusable
  • Unable to change domain passwords

Name queries that are formatted for broadcast, WINS, and DNS are all affected by this problem.

CAUSE

The NetGetDCName Win32 API is used to retrieve the name of the PDC on a domain. If the PDC s name is greater than 13 characters, this API caches the local PDC name incorrectly. If a second call is made, NetGetDCName tries to connect to this invalid PDC name, causing extra network traffic and a longer response time.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT versions 3.51 and 4.0. This problem was corrected in the latest Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 U.S. Service Pack. For information on obtaining the service pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces): 

   S E R V P A C K

Additional query words: unable locate find netlogon
Keywords : kbfix4.00.sp2 ntdomain ntnetserv NTSrvWkst kbnetwork kbbug3.51 kbbug4.00
Version : 3.51 4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug
Solution Type : kbservicepack

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Last reviewed: May 20, 1997
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