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NetBIOS Names
On a NetBIOS network, every computer must have a unique name. The computer name must be 15 characters long or fewer. A NetBIOS name can include alphanumeric characters and any of the following special characters:

!@#$%^&()-_’{}.~

Note that you cannot use a space or an asterisk in a NetBIOS name. Also, NetBIOS names are not case-sensitive.

Within these character limitations, you can choose any name for a PC. The rule of thumb is to choose a name that helps you to identify the computer. Names such as PC1, PC2, and PC3 are difficult to visualize and easy to confuse. Likewise, names such as STUPIDPC or WORTHLESSPC could confuse you in the long run, especially if you have many computers on your network. For these reasons, names that include a hook relating the name of the owner or the location of the computer generally are more effective. Consider the following names, for example:
You must specify a computer name for a Windows NT or Windows 95 computer at installation. The computer name then becomes part of the network configuration. In either Windows NT or Windows 95, you can change the name of the computer through the Control Panel Network application (see the following tip and note).


[tip.gif]

A NetBIOS computer name must:

You designate a computer name for your PC when you install the operating system. You can change the computer name later through the Control Panel Network application, but you must have Administrative privileges to change the computer name. To change a NetBIOS computer name, follow these steps:
1.Click the Start button and choose Settings/Control Panel.
2.In Windows NT Control Panel, double-click on the Network application.
3.In the Network application’s Identification tab, click on the Change button. The subsequent Identification Changes dialog box is shown in Figure 11.1.
4.Change the computer name in the text box labeled Com-puter Name and click OK.