MDNSResponder can't recognize Computer Name or local hostname?

When looking in Console Logs recently, I noticed log messages saying the mDNSResponder could not read user-specified Computer name or host name and using default names etc. Example: "Aug 18 13:46:23 dialup-4 mDNSResponder: Couldn't read User-specified Computer Name; using default "Macintosh-000000000000" instead" I am using dialup internet service with the internal modem. These messages are created when I log on and off the internet. Are these messages normal or is my computer missing some data? I am having no problems getting on and off the internet, I just don't understand the logs. Thanks for any help.

Try editing it in both places in Sharing Pref Pane.
Careful what characters you you also.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1485536&tstart=0

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SIU - Apply Computer Name and Local Hostname settings from a file

I am setting up a workflow to image corporate computers and wanting to know how the "Apply Computer Name and Local Hostname settings from a file" works in the Apply System Configuration Settings task.
We bind the computer to AD and OD and we have a specific naming convention for certain departments and trying to automate the entire imaging process.
Would this be something that can be done with SIU?

Well, maybe there's a bug in the latest version (10.5.3) of SIU as this is not what is happening.
It doesn't seem to matter what I specify for the name parameters I end up with a Bonjour name of ".local".
I put in a line of the form <Mac Address><TAB>tom<TAB>dick<TAB>harry into the text file used by the Apply System Configuration Settings Action.
and end up with hostname = tom, Computer Name = dick and Bonjour Name = .local
I'm building the NetInstall image on a new iMac running 10.5.3 booted out of a second partition and create the image from the main boot partition (also 10.5.3). I then copy the image to my server (10.5.3) and make a second iMac boot up from the NetInstall image.
For what it is worth the Workflow Actions I am using are:
Define Image Source
+ NetInstall
Source: Macintosh HD
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+ Allow
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+ Primary Language: English
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Computer name and local hostname not recognized at startup

I've been having trouble syncing with .mac lately. (This isn't syncing question.) Looking at my console and system logs, it would appear that my computer and network connection have a problem right from the start (except that I can connect to the Internet and can send and receive mail no problem). But I think the logs below indicate that there's some disconnect because later on, when I try to sync or do something with iDisk, "Failed to register NSConnection" and SFIDiskMirrorCopyPair returned NULL" appear in the console log. Here's some of what the logs showed. I was wondering if anyone out there can make heads or tails out of it. Wondering if I'll have to blow it up and do an archive and install.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Thanks, Bill
From my system log:
Feb 5 10:01:20 localhost SystemStarter[337]: authentication service (351) did not complete successfully
later it states ....
Feb 5 10:02:04 localhost loginwindow[116]: Login Window Started Security Agent
Feb 5 10:02:07 localhost mDNSResponder: Couldn't read user-specified Computer Name; using default “Macintosh-123A95Dxxxxxx” instead
Feb 5 10:02:07 localhost mDNSResponder: Couldn't read user-specified local hostname; using default “Macintosh-123A95Dxxxxxx.local” instead
Feb 5 10:02:08 localhost mDNSResponder: Adding browse domain local.
Feb 5 10:02:51 localhost configd[74]: SecKeychainFindGenericPassword err= -25308 ( =0xffff8624, secErrStr=User interaction is not allowed. ) (current= JohnDoe)
Feb 5 10:02:53 localhost mDNSResponder: Couldn't read user-specified Computer Name; using default “Macintosh-123A95Dxxxxxx” instead
Feb 5 10:02:53 localhost mDNSResponder: Couldn't read user-specified local hostname; using default “Macintosh-123A95Dxxxxxx.local” instead
Feb 5 10:02:54 localhost launchd: Server 0 in bootstrap 1013 uid 0: "/usr/sbin/lookupd"[86]: exited abnormally: Hangup
Feb 5 10:02:54 localhost configd[74]: executing /System/Library/SystemConfiguration/Kicker.bundle/Contents/Resources/enable-net work
Feb 5 10:02:54 localhost configd[74]: posting notification com.apple.system.config.network_change
Feb 5 10:02:54 localhost lookupd[216]: lookupd (version 369.5) starting - Mon Feb 5 10:02:54 2007
Feb 5 10:02:56 localhost mDNSResponder: Couldn't read user-specified Computer Name; using default “Macintosh-123A95Dxxxxxx” instead
Feb 5 10:02:56 localhost mDNSResponder: Couldn't read user-specified local hostname; using default “Macintosh-123A95Dxxxxxx.local” instead
Feb 5 10:02:56 localhost configd[74]: target=enable-network: disabled

Thank you for helping me. My computer is very old and it gets a lot of non-taxing use, like email and word processing. I'm trying to get another year out of it before I replace it. I first had to reset the PRAM because I had full-on freeze a couple of months ago. I couldn't get the computer to respond at all. Apple Support helped. They had me reset the PRAM, but the reason I've been resetting it now and again is that it seemed to fix a problem I was having with audio. When I am using Skype, Facetime or Gchat there was a crackling sound so loud, I'd have to hang up. Resetting the PRAM seemed to take care of this. I read around a little on the Internet. There was some suggestion that maybe my logic board is failing, at which point I would really have to replace my computer. But I was hoping for some pointers about this keyboard. I spent a couple of days reading and didn't find anyone having quite my problem. I guess it wouldn't really be such a problem if I didn't have this audio problem as well.

Why did computer create second local hostname?

I just got a pop up message I've never seen before that says "This computer’s local hostname “(my computer name here).local” is already in use on this network. The name has been changed to (my computer name here)-2.local” It added a "2" to my existing computer hostname. Why would it do that?

There are several possible causes for this behavior.
1. Two (or more) computers on the local network have the same Bonjour name, such as "X's-MacBook-Pro.local". Resolve the name conflict by renaming one or more of them in the Sharing preference pane.
2. You have two simultaneous connections to the same local network: probably Ethernet and Wi-Fi. If applicable, disconnect the Ethernet cable or turn off Wi-Fi.
3. A Mac wakes from sleep due to network traffic. This is a bug in OS X that may only affect some models.
4. A device that gets its network address from the router wakes from sleep, and the address it was using before has been assigned to another device.
5. A third-party wireless router has incompatible settings or firmware. In that case, refer to the manufacturer or ISP for support. Restarting the router may help, temporarily.
6. See also this support article.

Can't change computer name in Sharing because of old Vista install?

I have a strange problem (all of mine seem to be strange).
I am attempting to set up the four computers I have at home for file sharing - nothing too complicated. There is one iMac connected via WiFi, one PC running Vista via ethernet, one MacBook running 10.4.11 via WiFi, and the problem machine my MacBook Pro running 10.5.6.
Under the Sharing preferences for my MacBook Pro, the computer name is set correctly to "Nebuchadnezzar". However, under the File Sharing details, the address is set to afp://MacBookProVista.home/.
I previously installed Vista under Boot Camp, and set the computer name under Vista to this name, so that I could identify it on my network. But I have removed this partition the correct way. I also had a Linux and a Windows 7 install running on virtual machines but I have removed both of these as well.
Why (and how) has Leopard managed to get hold of the Vista computer name, and why hasn't it gone away after I deleted the entire Vista partition? I managed to get the address to change very briefly when I changed the Global Dynamic Hostname to Nebuchadnezzar, but it since changed back after closing System Prefs.
Any ideas anyone?
Message was edited by: pisto_grih
Also, the Remote Management name is MacBookProVista rather than the correct name of Nebuchadnezzar.

I don't know if this is normal, but resetting my router seemed to clear these erroneous network names. I have a BT HomeHub (v2.0) and when you reset it and reconnect the machines to the network, as it resets the IP through DHCP it resets the "afp://" address to the computers MAC address.
As part of setting up the network, each device is getting a static IP - it appears in the device list as the devices MAC address, and renaming it here seems to do the trick.
I find this strange (and slightly confusing) that the naming of devices goes both ways, from device to router and back again, but it seems to be working. The Vista device name was obviously picked up when I connected it to the network, but it's strange that it didn't reset through DHCP, even though the name on the router came up correctly.

Can't see computer name but can connect using IP

I was trying to help a friend get a wired router connected up. Cable modem to the WAN of the Linksys with an older G4 iMac (17" flatpanel, 1GHz) and a Mac Book Pro connected to the ethernet ports of the Linksys (BEFSR41).
Both computers on 10.4.7
After setting up a new network location and setting the Built-in Ethernet to use DHCP and making sure the Built-in Ethernet port configuration was turned 'On' things worked fine. I reset the router's admin password by accessing 192.168.1.1 I was able to send & receive mail from both computers and surf the web without any problems. I could login from either computer to the other.
I'm not sure when it happened, possibly after the iMac fell asleep, but eventually I couldn't see the iMac's name when I would Go/Network (Cmd-Shift-K) on the Mac Book, BUT I could still connect to the iMac from the MacBook by entering in the IP. There was no trouble connecting to the MacBook Pro from the iMac
From the MacBook's browser, afp://192.168.1.102/ would connect fine.
Did multiple restarts of both machines, and even powered down & up both the cable modem and the router. Repaired permissions.
Any ideas on why I can connect by manually entering the IP but the computer's name doesn't show up when trying Go/Network???
Thanks.
Patrick

Got it!
I went looking through the knowledge base documents and ran across this document.
"AppleTalk must be turned on both on your computer and the other person's computer, or the other person needs to know your computer's IP address."
I had been able to connect with the IP, but the name didn't show up. I gave her a calll and had her check the Network preferences and AppleTalk was off, she turned it on and everything is working like it should.
Now how do I give myself a 'Solved'?
Patrick
G5 DP 2GHz, 23ACD, iBook, AEBS, iPod video Mac OS X (10.3.9)

How can i get rid of the "local" hostname sufix?

i am installing Sun Grid Engine on 4 macpros, but this hostname problem is making the progress a headache.
the cluster tries to resolve hostnames without the "local" sufix, and t fails.
how can i completely remove the "local" suffix on my hostname??
i have tried byt no sucess, this is what i did
at the moment if i type "hostname" i get this
mac-pro-3.local
so i modified /etc/hosts and added a line
myNetworkIP mac-pro-3.local mac-pro-3
it works but only for the same machine, other macs cannot ping or resolve "mac-pro-3".
i dont know what option is there available.
macs are with Leopard 10.5.6
any ideas?
thanks in advance
Cristobal

i found another solution, and now i dont have the need to remove the "local" suffix
i edited the /etc/hosts file and added what the computer was trying to resolve from the server, with an alias.
#this line
ipAddress mac-pro-3.local mac-pro-3

Should I ok "this computer's local hostname Irma-Mac-mini-local" is already in use on this network. The name has been changed to Irma2 Mac-mini 2-local

Should I ok this message-this computer's local hostname Irma's Mac-mini-local is already in use on this network. The name has been changed to Irma's Mac-mini-2local

Don't think this is a conflict with IP Addresses or computer names
= DHCP hangover when computer renews DHCP lease
There is no actual other computer
It just appears that way when reconnects so creates new -2 computer name
What types of names do you use your computers ?
Whether you name them after quantum particles or the romantic poets...
They will each start to be appended with "-2" then "-3" etc if you auto configure network settings from Airport Router DHCP service and you have this Change computer name issue where pop up window states name is already being used on your LAN
As stated previous post you can reset the computer name in SysPrefs / Sharing / Edit button
And restart Router or renew all DHCP leases (if persists in not allowing original name)
Can now press Edit and reset name of choice
But for Fix see link above

Why does the local network and computer name keep changing?

After upgrading to Yosemit the local network name and computername on my iMAC keep changes link:
Mycomputer-1
Mycomputer-2
Mycomputer-3
Why?
I have tried to change it back in sharing and network locations.
Is this also the reason the my iPhone cannot find my iPhone often cannot find my iMac when I will sync it? Then I have to restart the iPhone and iTunes on the computer. This happens very very often.
Maybe it also linked to these errors which the log is full of - many every minute:
19/10/14 12.11.09,522 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:256
19/10/14 12.11.09,543 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:12856
19/10/14 12.11.09,561 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:0
19/10/14 12.11.09,565 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:44032
I think the is some bug/clash between bonjour and other network protocols. That is only a guess.

After resetting the computer name and local host name to the correct name without the number I also shotdown my iMac, my AppleTV, my iPhone, my iPad and then rebooted my Airport/Time capsule it seemed to work at least for several days. But yesterday I discovered that my Apple TV now also has changed name to Apple TV (2).
I logged into iCloud.com to see my devices and here it was really wired. My Apple TV was called Apple TV (2) and my iMac also had (2) after the name. Then I checked it on the iMac but here it was correct! Why can it have one name on the iCloud and another on the computer.
I restarted both the iMac, Apple TV and Airport Time capsule then everything was correct also on iCloud.com.
But today the iMac was called the name (2) again on the iMac. And now the local host name also had -2 after the name. It has not always been both names that has changed. That is really wired. And today Wifi was not working on the iMac after wake from sleep. I changed the name back and rebooted again also the Airport Time capsule. Now it is working again.
The log is still full of this messages:
02/11/14 19.22.13,186 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:1901
02/11/14 19.22.25,738 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:34051
02/11/14 19.22.25,758 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:12342
02/11/14 19.22.25,900 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:34051
02/11/14 19.22.25,919 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:1901
02/11/14 19.22.27,636 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:28772
02/11/14 19.22.27,683 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:27693
02/11/14 19.22.27,714 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:28533
02/11/14 19.22.49,833 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:29281
02/11/14 19.22.49,866 discoveryd[53]: Basic DNSResolver dropping message because it doesn't match the one sent Port:0 MsgID:28528
The name is not the only problem. Often itunes will not find my iPhone and iPad. Then i need to close iTunes and restart the iPhone and iPad then it works for some time.
And the iPhone and AppleTV will not always wake the iMac from sleep. I am wondering if the is linked to the changing of name.
I have seen by googling that it can be related to a sleep proxy problem so it seems like that here is two devices on the net with the same name that is why name is changing, but to know this do not help me to solve the problem. I have also seen all the suggestion to turn almost every services off on the computer, but again I it is not a solution and I have the iMac and devises to use the functionality not to shot everything down. So I do not really understand people saying turn off itunes, turn off blueboth, and turn off this and that.
Apple must soon come with a real solution. We are really many people have these problem since we upgraded to Yosemite and iOS 8.
I have also listed some of the iTunes errors from the log below:
02/11/14 19.24.48,160 com.apple.xpc.launchd[1]: (com.apple.quicklook[1364]) Endpoint has been activated through legacy launch(3) APIs. Please switch to XPC or bootstrap_check_in(): com.apple.quicklook
02/11/14 19.24.52,279 Console[1368]: Failed to connect (_consoleX) outlet from (NSApplication) to (ConsoleX): missing setter or instance variable
02/11/14 19.25.06,907 iTunes[480]: Entered:_AMMuxedDeviceDisconnected, mux-device:5
02/11/14 19.25.06,908 iTunes[480]: Entered:__thr_AMMuxedDeviceDisconnected, mux-device:5
02/11/14 19.25.06,908 iTunes[480]: tid:17d8b - Mux ID not found in mapping dictionary
02/11/14 19.25.06,908 iTunes[480]: tid:17d8b - Can't handle disconnect with invalid ecid
02/11/14 19.30.19,234 com.apple.usbmuxd[56]: _SendAttachNotification Device 30:f7:c5:30:b8:2b@fe80::32f7:c5ff:fe30:b82b._apple-mobdev2._tcp.local. has already appeared on interface 5. Suppressing duplicate attach notification.
02/11/14 19.30.22,192 soagent[429]: Can't allocate SOHelper <SOMessageHelper: 0x7f9053a102c0> inside com.apple.soagent
02/11/14 19.30.54,871 iTunes[480]: Entered:_AMMuxedDeviceDisconnected, mux-device:6
02/11/14 19.30.54,871 iTunes[480]: Entered:__thr_AMMuxedDeviceDisconnected, mux-device:6
02/11/14 19.30.54,871 iTunes[480]: tid:1a23b - Mux ID not found in mapping dictionary
02/11/14 19.30.54,871 iTunes[480]: tid:1a23b - Can't handle disconnect with invalid ecid
02/11/14 19.32.06,137 com.apple.usbmuxd[56]: _SendAttachNotification Device 30:f7:c5:30:b8:2b@fe80::32f7:c5ff:fe30:b82b._apple-mobdev2._tcp.local. has already appeared on interface 5. Suppressing duplicate attach notification.

Can I change my computer name?

Hello all,
I just replaced my Power G5 with a Mac Pro, however, the computer name of the new Mac Pro is quite too long, therefore I am thinking to change it.
I have not set up the network connection yet with my other computers at home. Do I have any risk by changing the name?
Thank you in advance

You can change the computer name in the Sharing system preference. There should be no negative consequences.

How can I konw , Which computer name or IP Address make SAP User lock

Dear all,
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Now I don't know which computer name or IP Address make user lock.
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In SM21
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Computer name changed secretly

I found that sometimes the computer name had been changed ...
For example, from ABC to ABC (1). And if ABC (1) exists then the name changed to ABC (2).
I don't know when it had been changed and it sometimes give me trouble. When time machine is used a new folder with new computer name will be created.
How to fix the computer name?

Here I also have an iMac that since installing Snow Leopard, approx. once a week, changes it's name to add a (2) at the end.
There is definitely no machine on the network that has the same name - but I can see that the mdnsresponder thinks so - and the duplicate appears to be my Time Capsule.
My suspicion is that this might be caused by the Bonjour Sleep Proxy functionality introduced with Snow Leopard, since for that, the iMac delegates it's identity to the Time Capsule to handle incoming requests while it's sleeping.
Here's what I saw in the console log:
15.10.09 15:33:56 mDNSResponder[17] mDNSCoreReceiveResponse: Received from FE80:0000:0000:0000:021C:42FF:FE00:0008:5353 1 Peter's\032iMac.net-assistant.udp.local. TXT
15.10.09 15:33:56 mDNSResponder[17] mDNSCoreReceiveResponse: Reseting to Probing: 25 Peter's\032iMac.net-assistant.udp.local. SRV 0 0 3283 Peters-iMac.local.
15.10.09 15:33:57 mDNSResponder[17] mDNSCoreReceiveResponse: Received from 192.168.1.162:5353 1 Peter's\032iMac.net-assistant.udp.local. TXT
15.10.09 15:33:57 mDNSResponder[17] mDNSCoreReceiveResponse: ProbeCount 2; will rename 25 Peter's\032iMac.net-assistant.udp.local. SRV 0 0 3283 Peters-iMac.local.
15.10.09 15:33:57 mDNSResponder[17] User updated Computer Name from “Peter's iMac” to “Peter's iMac (2)”
(whereas 192.168.1.162 is the IP of the Time Capsule)

Computer name keeps getting (2) appended to it.

I've searched high and low and can't seem to figure out why my iMac thinks the computer name is already being used on the network.
I can see in the sharing preference pane that the original name is what is indicated with this copy:
Computers on your local network can access your computer at: XXXXX.local
However, the name in the field above it has XXXXX (2) and each time I try to get rid of the (2) I get the message:
The name of your computer “XXXXX” is already in use on this network. The name has been changed to “XXXXX (2)”
I can change the name using the EDIT button to anything else I want, and it doesn't add the (2). But once I change it back to my desired computer name, I get the same message that it's already being used.
I've tried turning off all of my sharing services but that still doesn't seem to allow the name to be used.
Any idea what other process is running that can be using the name? How do I figure out where the conflict is occurring?

Thanks for the suggestion, Alberto. I turned all networking off and was able to make the change successfully. However, once I turned networking back on again, the same message popped up:
The name of your computer “XXXXX” is already in use on this network. The name has been changed to “XXXXX (2)”
In the Sharing Preference Pane, I verified that it appears to still be using the correct .local name:
Computers on your local network can access your computer at: XXXXX.local
But the Computer Name in the field above the message switched to XXXXX (2) again.

How to change your 'computer name' ?

I have just 'migrated' ( using the software install - by a firewire cable ) from my old PowerBook G4 to a MacBook Pro - Everything is fine except now my MacBook Pro is called PowerBook G4 15" on the start-up screen and system profiler title.
My question is how do you change this 'computer name' ?
Many thanks in advance.
Ti-Powerbook/MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9)

You can change your computer name in System Preferences (found under the Apple menu) in the Sharing pane. At the top of the pane it will say Computer Name: PowerBook G4 15".
Note that the name can contain spaces. Mine, for example, is Ministry of Magic.
Delete the current name and enter the new name. Note that you do not have to click the edit button out to the right. That is only useful if you want to change the bonjour address on your local subnet to be something different from NewComputerName.local (where NewComputerName is the new name you just changed it to.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
PM G5, PB G4 17", iMac G5 20", iPod 5G 30GB, iPod Nano 1G, iPod Shuffle 2G Mac OS X (10.4.9) AirPort Extreme (802.11n) WDS with AirPort Express

No Computer Name for Mountain Lion clients

Hi guys,
Have anyone else seen or have a fix for Mountain Lion clients Computer names being displayed as "-" in Apple Remote Desktop Admin 3.6.1 and client?
I've deleted preferences and re-scanned with the same results

Thanks John,
All of my 10.8.2 clients are fresh installs on new MBP's
Everything looks fine under Sharing preference panel with the computer name and .local name
I have 5 machines like this and its annoying, the current user column is fine so I can tell which one is which, I can take observe, take control of these clients with no problem.
My ARD Admin Mac is 10.7.5

MDNSResponder can't recognize Computer Name or local hostname?

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