Windows NT 3.51 WINS Admin Err Msg: The Parameter Is Incorrect

 Last reviewed: November 6, 1997
Article ID: Q162845
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.51

SYMPTOMS

When you connect to a Windows NT 3.51 Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) server from another Windows NT 3.51 server, using the WINS Administrator tool, and choose either Configuration or Replication Partners from the Server menu, you receive the following error: 

   The Parameter is Incorrect.

CAUSE

This error will occur if you connect to a Windows NT 3.51 WINS Server from a Windows NT 4.0 WINS Administrator tool and access either the Configuration or Replication Partners choices in the Server Menu. After performing this action, when you try to choose either Configuration or Replication Partners on the server using the Windows NT 3.51 WINS Administration tool, you may get the error.

The reason for this error is that, in Windows NT 4.0, the following key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins\Parameters, is defined as follows: 

   BackupDirPath:REG_EXPAND_SZ
In Windows NT 3.51, the following key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins\Parameters, is defined as follows: 

   BackupDirPath:REG_SZ
When the Windows NT 4.0 WINS Administration tool is used to access the Windows NT 3.51 WINS server, and the Configuration or Replication Partners menu option is selected, the BackupDirPath is changed from REG_SZ to REG_EXPAND_SZ. The result is that the Windows NT 3.51 WINS Administration tool will not (from that point on) recognize the information stored in that key's value field, and will return the error.

RESOLUTION

The Windows NT 3.51 WINS Administration tool was changed so that it recognizes the BackupDirPath when it is defined as REG_EXPAND_SZ. Apply the hotfix to the Windows NT 3.51 WINS Server.

NOTE: Be certain to rename the original Winsadmn.exe before copying the hotfix version into your System32 folder.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51. A supported fix is now available, but is not fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Product Support Services for more information.

Additional query words: prodnt wins manager registry
Keywords : kbbug3.51 ntnetserv NTSrvWkst nttcp kbnetwork
Version : 3.51
Platform : winnt

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Last reviewed: November 6, 1997
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