How to Manually Recreate a WINS Database

• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51 and 4.0

SUMMARY

In the event of database corruption, it may be necessary to delete and recreate the Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) database file. This article details the steps required to delete and recreate the WINS database file.

NOTE: The procedure for recreating the Wins.mdb file is different for Windows NT Server 3.51 and Windows NT Server 4.0.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows NT Server version 3.51

To delete and recreate your WINS database, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. Double-click the Services icon, click Windows Internet Name Service, and then click Stop.

2. Type the following at a command prompt, and then press Enter:

   ren %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS\Wins.mdb

          %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS\Wins.old
   

   NOTE: The commandline above is all on one line, it has been wrapped for readability.

3. Overwrite the existing System.mdb file with a new one from your original Windows NT source media. Type the following at a command prompt and then press Enter after each line:

   copy D:\i386\System.md_ %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS\System.md_

   del %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS\System.mdb

   expand %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS\System.md_

             %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS\System.mdb
   
      NOTE: The expand commandline above is all on one line, it has been
      wrapped for readability.
   
   

4. Restart WINS.

Windows NT Server version 4.0

To delete and recreate your WINS database, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. Double-click the Services icon, click Windows Internet Name Service, and then click Stop.

2. Type the following at a command prompt and then press Enter:

   ren %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS\Wins.mdb

          %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS\Wins.old
   

   NOTE: The commandline above is all on one line, it has been wrapped for readability.

3. Type the following at a command prompt and then press Enter:

   ren %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS\*.log %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS\*.old

4. Restart WINS.