DOCUMENT:Q271374 08-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Windows NT 4.0 SP6 Clients Contact the PDC Every 21 Minutes PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbenv kbdomain kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0 SP6, 4.0 SP6a ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 may contact the primary domain controller (PDC) when you start your computer and every 21 minutes to get a Distributed File System (DFS) referral. When this occurs, there may be unwanted network traffic and unwanted load on the server service in larger domains. CAUSE ===== This problem can occur because there are changes to the Mup.sys file from Q242001. It is necessary to periodically check with a Microsoft Windows 2000-based domain controller for a DFS referral. Because Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 (SP6) cannot locate a Windows 2000-based domain controller if one exists, it must contact the PDC. Note that the PDC is the only system in a domain that is guaranteed to be a Windows 2000 domain controller if any Windows 2000-based domain controllers exist. RESOLUTION ========== A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. Normal support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The English-language version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: Date Time Version Size File name Platform ---------------------------------------------------------------- 09/08/2000 01:33pm 4.0.1381.7086 80,848 Mup.sys Intel 09/08/2000 01:32pm 4.0.1381.7086 142,800 Mup.sys Alpha The Mup.sys file enables a new registry entry to be specified that can enable a delay. The delay is specified in minutes, starting at 21 minutes. When you enable this registry entry, the initial traffic when you start the computer is not prevented, however, the subsequent traffic is prevented. 1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe). 2. Locate and click the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\ 3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value: Value Name: DfsDcNameDelay Data Type: REG_DWORD Radix: select Decimal Value: Delay in minutes 4. Quit Registry Editor. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. Additional query words: mup ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv kbdomain kbWinNT400PreSP7Fix Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400sp6 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTW400sp6 kbWinNTW400SP6a Version : :4.0 SP6,4.0 SP6a Hardware : ALPHA x86 Issue type : kbprb Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.