FP98: FrontPage Does Not Recognize Local Machine Name After Upgrade to Win98

ID: Q199130


The information in this article applies to:


SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade From Windows 95 to Windows 98, FrontPage does not recognize the name of the local computer (although localhost will still function properly).


CAUSE

During an upgrade to Windows 98, the version of Personal Web Server is upgraded to Personal Web Server 4.0. After you run the Internet Explorer 4 Connection Wizard, Personal Web Server 4.0 may no longer show the machine name as the Web name.

For example, a computer with the machine name of test should be accessed with a Web browser using the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) http://test. However, if the user is logged-in and runs the Connection Wizard, the main panel in PWS will now display http://USER.

This problem occurs because Connection Wizard creates an entry in the registry with the data name HOSTNAME and the value being the current USERNAME. This information is passed to Personal Web Server 4.0.


RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Use the 127.0.0.1 IP Address

Use the loop back IP Address (127.0.0.1) as the name of the computer you are trying to access. This reserved IP address corresponds to your local computer.

Method 2: Use Localhost

Use localhost as the name of the computer you are trying to access. This reserved host name also corresponds to your local computer.

Method 3: Rename the Computer

  1. Right-click the Network icon on you Windows Desktop, and click Properties.


  2. Click the Identification tab.


  3. Change the computer name.


  4. Click OK.


  5. Restart the computer if you are prompted to do so.


Method 4: Erase the Registry Key

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

  1. Click Start, Run.


  2. Type regedit.exe, and click OK.


  3. In Registry Editor, the entry is located at:

    HKey_Local_Machine/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/VxD/MSTCP


  4. Select the key. The data name is HOSTNAME and the value is the current USERNAME.


  5. On the Edit menu, click Delete.


  6. On the View menu, click Refresh.



MORE INFORMATION

Additional query words: front page


Keywords          : kbdta 
Version           : WINDOWS:98
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbinfo 

Last Reviewed: July 21, 1999