Slow Name Resolution to Internet from Intranet

Last reviewed: December 23, 1997
Article ID: Q172989

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

While forwarding queries to the Internet using a Domain Name Service (DNS) server with a computer running Windows NT Server version 4.0, your clients experience one or more of the following problems:

Internet name resolution is slow
-or-
Internet name resolution fails
-or-
Internet name resolution is intermittent.

NOTE: Local intranet name resolution operates successfully.

CAUSE

The cache file on your Windows NT 4.0 DNS server is corrupted or missing.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, copy a new cache file using the following steps:

Stop the DNS service by typing the following at a command prompt and then pressing ENTER:
```
      net stop dns
```
Type the following and then press ENTER:
```
      cd <%SystemRoot%>\System32\Dns
```
where <%SystemRoot%> is your Windows NT folder. For example, if Windows NT is installed in the WINNT folder, type the following at a command prompt and then press ENTER:
```
      cd winnt\System32\Dns
```
Type the following and then press ENTER:
```
      ren cache.dns cache.old
```
Type one of the following and then press ENTER:
```
      copy backup\cache.dns
```
```
      -or-
```
```
      copy samples\cache.dns
```
NOTE: There should be an original copy of the Cache.dns file in both the Backup folder and the Samples folder.
Start the DNS service again by typing the following and then pressing ENTER:
```
      net start dns
```

NOTE: It is possible for the cache file in the backup folder to also be corrupt. In that event, you will need to expand the original from your Windows NT source media by typing the following at a command prompt:

   expand d:\i386\cache.dn_ %systemroot%\system32\dns\cache.dns

where d: is your CDROM drive.

For more information see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q159310
   TITLE     : Update Version of DNS.EXE Fixes Several Problems

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words:
Keywords : ntnetserv NTSrv nttcp kbnetwork
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo

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Last reviewed: December 23, 1997
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