NBSTAT -A May Return Host not Found Error Message

ID: Q175935

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you run a "Nbtstat -A" command to get a computer's NetBIOS name, you may receive the following error message:

Host not found.
For example: 


   nbtstat -A a.b.c.d

Where a.b.c.d is the IP address of the target computer. The expected result is the NetBIOS Remote Machine Name Table from the target computer.


CAUSE

The NetBIOS Interface device on the target computer is not started.


RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, verify that the NetBIOS Interface device is set to start either Automatically or Manually and that the Messenger service is set to start Automatically. Perform the following steps on the target computer:

  1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click the Services icon, and select the Messenger service.


  3. Click Startup, click Automatic, click OK, and then click Close.


  4. Double-click the Devices icon in Control Panel, and select the NetBIOS Interface device.


  5. Click Startup, click either Automatic or Manual, click OK, and click Close.


  6. Restart the computer.


NOTE: Simply starting the NetBIOS Interface device is not sufficient. The NetBIOS Interface device must be reset by a NetBIOS application such as the Messenger service.


MORE INFORMATION

The Nbtstat.exe utility, when used with the parameters "-A <IpAddress>", sends a Node Status Request directly to the given IP address: 


   NBT: NS: Query req. for *&lt;00...(15)&gt;

and receives the NetBIOS name from the Node Status Response: 

   NBT: NS: Query (Node Status) resp. for *&lt;00...(15)&gt;, Success

This request is handled on the target computer by the NetBIOS Interface device (Netbios.sys). By default, the startup of this device is set to Manual so that it is only started on demand. The Messenger service (which is started Automatically), is by default the only service shipped with Windows NT that relies on the NetBIOS Interface device. Therefore, if the Messenger service is Disabled or not started, then the NetBIOS Interface device is not started and causes this issue. 


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbnetwork ntnetserv nttcp NTSrvWkst 
Version           : WinNT:4.0
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: January 21, 1999