WINS Server Displays Owners with Questions Marks

 Last reviewed: December 8, 1997
Article ID: Q177174
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you examine the mappings in your Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) Server database, you may see entries with question marks (\\???) for the computer name in the Select Owner dialog box.

CAUSE

The entries that are appearing as \\??? are WINS servers that are replicating with your WINS server. However, these replication partners are not listed in the WINS Manager in the WINS Servers list.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the following steps:

  1. In WINS Manager, click Server and click Add WINS Server.

  2. Type the IP address or the NetBIOS name of the WINS server that is displaying with question marks in the mappings and click OK.

  3. Click Mappings and click Show Database to verify that the replication partner is now displaying either its IP address or computer name instead of question marks.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available. 

Keywords          : kbbug3.50 kbbug3.51 kbbug4.00 ntnetserv NTSrv ntutil kbnetwork
Version           : WinNT:3.5,3.51,4.0
Platform          : winnt
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbworkaround

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Last reviewed: December 8, 1997
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