KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q104558: Changing the Computer Name of a Windows NT Advanced Server

Article: Q104558
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 3.1,3.5,3.51,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetwork
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, versions 3.1, 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Changing computer names for Windows NT Advanced Server can only be
done after the computer is synchronized.

To change the name of a Controller or Server for Windows NT Advanced
Server, do the following:

1. Create a new Server Account with Server Manager on the Controller.

2. From the computer that needs the computer name changed, change the name to
  the new name.

  The administrator will receive a message warning "Changing the computer name
  without the domain administrator first changing its name on the domain will
  result in domain accounts not being able to access or log on to this
  computer. Are you sure?"

  Choose Yes (if the computer account has been created on the Controller).

3. Shut down and restart the Server with the name change.

4. When you log on, you will receive the message "At least one service or driver
  failed during system startup."

  The event log will show that netlogon failed because it "Failed to
  authenticate with the controller, a Windows NT Advanced Server for domain
  XXXX" Event ID = 3210. Data code C0000022 Status_Access_Denied."

  The administrator should start the Server Manager on the computer on which the
  name was changed. The old computer name appears highlighted and the new name
  is still unavailable (grayed out). This is a browser problem and has nothing
  to do with netlogon failing to start on this computer.

5. Select the new computer name that is unavailable and select Synchronize With
  Domain Controller. At this point, it will start netlogon and synchronize the
  database with the Controller correctly and the computer name will now be
  highlighted in Server Manager.

6. Delete the old computer (machine) account.

Additional query words: prodnt rename

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTAdvSerSearch kbWinNTAdvServ400 kbWinNTAdvServ351 kbWinNTAdvServ350 kbWinNTAdvServ310 kbWinNT310Search
Version           : :3.1,3.5,3.51,4.0

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.