KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q135405: Repairing a Corrupted WINS Database w/ Starting Version Count

Article: Q135405
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 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 Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

This article explains how you may increase the Starting Version Count within
WINS preferences to repair WINS database corruption.

MORE INFORMATION
================

To repair WINS database corruption, you may modify the Starting Version Count
(also called Starting Version ID) within WINS preferences to increase the
Highest Version ID of the Local Database. You may set this Starting Version ID
only to a higher value than the existing Highest Version ID. After you set it to
a higher value you may not lower it without deleting the databases.

NOTE: Although the terms Starting Version ID and Highest Version ID contain the
word Version they do not refer to a particular released version of the product,
but to the number of entries in the WINS database. Therefore, you may use any
number that is a higher value than the current Starting Version ID. For
additional information, refer to the EXAMPLES section below.

To modify the Starting Version ID in the registry:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide
problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft
cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can
be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

1. Under the subtree HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, select the following subkey:

  \System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WINS\Parameters

  The following parameters for the Starting Version count appear:

  VersCounterStartVal_LowWord: REG_DWORD
  VersCounterStartVal_HighWord: REG_DWORD

2. Select the parameter you want to modify. If you are unsure about which
  parameter to select, read the EXAMPLES section below.

3. From the Edit menu, choose DWORD.

4. Type the higher hexadecimal value and choose OK.

EXAMPLES
--------

A Starting Version ID of FF78 hexadecimal (hex) appears as:

  VersCounterStartVal_LowWord: REG_DWORD:0x0000FF78
  VersCounterStartVal_HighWord: REG_DWORD:0x00000000

To increment this number, change the VersCounterStartVal_LowWord value to FF79.

As the number of database entries grows the VersCounterStartVal_LowWord value
increases until it reaches 0xFFFFFFFF hex that is the maximum number for a
double word hexadecimal value. If you want to increment this number by one, you
need to start using the VersCounterStartVal_HighWord counter. For the starting
Version ID of 100000000 hex, both parameters appear as follows:

  VersCounterStartVal_LowWord: REG_DWORD:0x00000000
  VersCounterStartVal_HighWord: REG_DWORD:0x00000001

A Starting Version ID of 100000001 hex appears as:

  VersCounterStartVal_LowWord: REG_DWORD:0x00000001
  VersCounterStartVal_HighWord: REG_DWORD:0x00000001

A Starting Version ID of 12FF6F782B3 hex appears as:

  VersCounterStartVal_LowWord: REG_DWORD:0xF6F782B3
  VersCounterStartVal_HighWord: REG_DWORD:0x0000012F

Additional query words: prodnt tcp/ip tcpip

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search
Version           : :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.