Event ID 3870: Not a Valid Computer Name

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

SYMPTOMS

When you restart a computer running Windows NT, the following error occurs:

   Event ID: 3870
   Source: workstation
   <computer name> is not a valid computer name.

CAUSE

A possible static entry in the WINS database is the cause of this problem.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, remove the static entry from the WINS database.

MORE INFORMATION

The Event ID: 3870 will usually occur first. It causes a cascade of failures that may include the following error messages:

   Event ID: 7023
   Source: Service Control Manager Error
   The Workstation service terminated with the following error:
   A duplicate name exists on the network.

   Event ID: 7001
   Source: Service Control Manager
   The Messenger service depends on the Workstation service which failed to
   start because of the following error:
   A duplicate name exists on the network.

   Event ID: 7002
   Source: Service Control Manager
   The TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service depends on the NetworkProvider group
   and no member of this group started.

   Event ID: 7001
   Source: Service Control Manager Error
   The Computer Browser service depends on the Workstation service, which
   failed to start because of the following error:
   A duplicate name exists on the network.

   Event ID: 7001
   Source: Service Control Manager Error
   The Alerter service depends on the Workstation service which failed to
   start because of the following error:
   A duplicate name exists on the network.

   Event ID: 3870
   Source: Workstation
   <computer name> is not a valid computer name.