IP Network Address Translator (IpNat) Service Defaults in Windows XP
IP Network Address Translator.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | IP Network Address Translator |
| Service name: | IpNat |
| Service type: | kernel |
| Error control: | normal |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\DRIVERS\ipnat.sys |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\IpNat |
Default Behavior
IP Network Address Translator is a kernel device driver. In Windows XP it won't start until the current user starts it. If the IP Network Address Translator fails to start, the technical information about the error is added to the Event Log. Windows XP startup should proceed, but a message box should be displayed informing the user that the IpNat service has failed to start.
Dependencies
IP Network Address Translator depends on the TCP/IP Protocol Driver service.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of IP Network Address Translator
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which IP Network Address Translator depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.1. Run the Command Prompt.
2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config IpNat start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The IpNat service is using the ipnat.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows XP installation media.