DNS INT Zone File Identified as Reverse Instead of Forward After Applying WinNT 4.0 SP4

ID: Q239079

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

After you update a DNS server with INT zone file(s) containing WINS Lookup record(s) in Windows NT Server 4.0 Service Pack 4, the DNS service does not start and the System Event log contains the following entries:

Event ID 1501 "DNS Server could not parse database file %1 for zone %2.
Event ID 1503 "DNS Server could not parse database file %1 line %2.
You receive the following error messages if you start the DNS Service from an MS-DOS command prompt:
The Microsoft DNS Server service is starting.
The Microsoft DNS Server service could not be started.
A system error has occurred.
System error 13 has occurred.
The data is invalid.


CAUSE

This problem occurs if the zone file does not contain WINS Lookup records. The DNS service may start, but the zone is treated as Reverse. As a result, name resolution of hosts contained in the zone do not resolve and it may not be possible to add new records to the zone file using the DNS user interface. This is because the INT zone file was not recognized as Forward when the DNS service was started.


RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. If you are not severely affected by this specific 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 on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp
The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date      Time      Size      File name  Platform
   -------------------------------------------------
   06/28/99   07:25p   177,424   Dns.exe    x86
   06/28/99   07:24p   297,744   Dns.exe    Alpha

NOTE: If this product was already installed on your computer when you purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and you need this fix, please call the Pay Per Incident number listed on the above Web site. If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, and if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested, no fee will be charged. However, if you request additional technical support, and if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support, you may be charged a non-refundable fee.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q154871 Determining If You Are Eligible for No-Charge Technical Support


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0.

Additional query words: 


Keywords          : kbbug4.00 kbfix4.00 
Version           : winnt:4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: August 12, 1999