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Q259241: Nbtstat and Nbt Performance Counters May Not Work

Article: Q259241
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv kberrmsg kbnetwork
Last Modified: 08-MAY-2002

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

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you are using a large number of network interfaces, you may experience any
of the following symptoms:

- When you run Nbtstat.exe from a command prompt, nothing happens and the
  command prompts returns.

- When you are using Performance Monitor, the following error message is
  generated frequently in the Application event log:

  Event Type: Error
  Event Source: perfctrs
  Event Category: None
  Event ID: 3101
  Description: Unable to read IO control information from NBT device.

CAUSE
=====

An internal buffer is used to read the NetBT bindings information from the
registry. Problems can occur if the information in the registry exceeds the size
of this buffer.

This problem is likely to occur if there are more than 25 network interfaces
bound to NetBT. For example, this problem might occur if you configure a Remote
Access Service (RAS) server with 30 dial-out lines.


RESOLUTION
==========

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to
correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to
computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive
additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem,
Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows NT 4.0 service pack that
contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services
to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services
phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft
Web site:

  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls
may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific
update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to
additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific
update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or
later:

  Date       Time     Size     File name     Platform
  ---------------------------------------------------
  5/24/2000  03:06am  19,728   Nbtstat.exe   Intel
  5/24/2000  03:06am  44,304   Perfctrs.dll  Intel



WORKAROUND
==========

Netbt.sys is a driver that is required for NetBIOS over TCP/IP connections. It
is required for connections from and to the local computer only. Connections
from other computers that pass though a local computer that is acting as a
router work. Typically, this functionality is not required for all interfaces
(for example, for connections from and to the Internet).

To work around this problem, use any of the following methods:

- Unbind Netbt from all interfaces that are not used for NetBIOS over TCP/IP
  connections.

- Reduce the number of interfaces until the problem does not occur.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that
are listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg kbnetwork 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : winnt:4.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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

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