Troubleshooting LMHOSTS Name Resolution Issues
Article ID: 180099
Article Last Modified on 2/27/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
This article was previously published under Q180099
SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to load the contents of an Lmhosts file into the NetBIOS
Remote Cache Name Table using the Nbtstat -R command, you may notice that
the entries are not loading. You can view this by using the Nbtstat -c
command.
CAUSE
The Lmhosts file is very specific in its required syntax and may be
incorrectly formatted.
RESOLUTION
To troubleshoot this issue, use the following:
- Open the Lmhosts file in a text editor, such
as Notepad.exe or Edit.com, and place three or four carriage returns at the bottom of the file.
NOTE: If you are using Notepad.exe, then make certain that you do not save the file using Unicode.
- Make sure the Lmhosts lookup is enabled by performing the following steps:
- Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
- Double-click Networks, on the Protocols tab, and double-click TCP/IP Protocol.
- On the WINS Address tab and click the Enable LMHOSTS Lookup to enable it.
NOTE: You need to restart your computer for this change to take effect.
- Verify that your Lmhosts file is in the proper folder and has no file extension. For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge base:
180094 How to Write an LMHOSTS File for Domain Validation
Keywords: kbnetwork kbprb kbtshoot KB180099