Computer Name and Host Name Must Be the Same in Windows 2000

In Windows 2000, you cannot specify different host (Domain Name System, or DNS) and computer (NetBIOS) names.

This behavior is by design.

In some earlier versions of Windows, you can specify two or more distinct names that point to the same computer by having host names that do not match the NetBIOS name. You cannot do this in Windows 2000.

To view the current computer names:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click System.
3. Click the Network Identification tab.
4. Click Properties.

You can change the computer name at this point. If you change the host name, the NetBIOS name is also changed. The NetBIOS name is visible, but cannot be changed to a value that does not match the host name.

Windows 2000 host names are the actual point of reference instead of the computer name. The computer name is provided to allow for backwards compatibility.