Turn on NetBIOS support in Windows

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[edit] Introduction

In order for the OSD to successfully find and connect to your PC, your PC needs to have something called "NetBIOS over TCP/IP" activated. By default in Windows this is the case, however it is an old protocol and some consider it insecure. Nevertheless, we shall turn it on as follows:

[edit] Method

  • Bring up the "Control Panel" in your favourite way.


Right-click on your LAN connection to edit.
Right-click on your LAN connection to edit.



  • Enter the "Network & Dial-up Connections" folder.




  • Right click upon your active LAN connection. If you have two, ensure you select the connection you wish to share through. Select 'Properties'



LAN Properties dialog
LAN Properties dialog


  • Select 'Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)' and click the "Properties" button.




  • In this rather grey dialog, click the "Advanced" button.


Advanced TCP/IP settings dialog with the NetBIOS option
Advanced TCP/IP settings dialog with the NetBIOS option



  • In the "Advanced TCP/IP Settings" dialog that appears, click the "WINS" tab.




  • To activate NetBIOS, click the 'Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP' option.




  • OK through all the dialogs. That should be it. Maybe a restart might help. The OSD should now successfully find your computer.




[edit] Testing this (Advanced)

If you wish to ensure that you this settings has been applied, try telnetting into the OSD and running the following command: 

nmblookup SERVER_NAME

where SERVERNAME is the your PC's NetBIOS name. You can get this by running 

smbtree -b

This process is more clearly explained here: http://forums.neurostechnology.com/smf/index.php?topic=8075.msg42707#msg42707

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