Microsoft KB Archive/287727

= Error message when accessing the WINS database: &quot;Cannot find the WINS server&quot; =

Article ID: 287727

Article Last Modified on 12/10/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition

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This article was previously published under Q287727



SYMPTOMS
After you install the Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) component, when you attempt to access the WINS database on the local WINS server, you may receive the following error message:

Cannot find the WINS server.

The WINS server you specified cannot be located. The WINS server might be down, there might be network problems, or the WINS service might not be installed.

The error was: The network path was not found.



CAUSE
This issue occurs because the WINS manager is dependant on the Remote Registry Service. If this service is not running, the WINS component is not initialized. Actually, the WINS service starts and runs but cannot access from the management console on the situation. When the service cannot access to the registry, the remote registry service cannot obtain the object name that the WINS service is managing. Therefore, the WINS snap-in generates the error that is described in the &quot;Symptoms&quot; section.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

268749 WINS does not function without File and Printer Sharing enabled



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, start the Computer Management console, click Services, and then set the Remote Registry Service to Automatic.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.

