clients losing server connection

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hi,

since a few days some of our clients are losing server connections. Mapped
drives can still be seen in the windows explorer but when clicking on them
the mapped drives are shown empty. Remapping doesn't bring the drives
contents back only restart of the clients help.

It doesn't seem to be timeout problem as the clients sometimes even lose the
connection while being active.

DCs OS: Windows 2003 Server SP1
Server OS: Windows 2000 Server SP4 (Server to which connections are lost)
Clients: Windows 2000 Professional SP4

Any ideas?

BR
Marcus
 
Hi,

Since this issue happens intermittently, the troubleshooting steps could be
time-consuming and troublesome. However, please rest assured that I'll try
my best to be of assistance.

For your situation, I have following suggestions:

Suggestion 1:
==================
When the problem occured, please ping the server by IP&Netbios name & FQDN
from the problematic computer to see the results.

Also, when the problem occured, please ping the server from anther client
which is OK by IP& NetBios Name & FQDN to see the results.

Suggestion 2:
=================
When the problem occured, please try to access the shared folder by using
\\servername\sharename to see ,if you can access the share.

Suggestion 3:
=================
I do understand you suspect it is not a auto disconnect problem, but I
still suggest you turn off the autodisconnect feature: net config server
/autodisconnect:-1


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
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may learn and benefit from this issue.
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--------------------
 
We are running two AD integrated DNS Servers.

I don't think that it is a problem with the name resolution as disconnecting
and remapping the files works fine. However the mapped drives are still shown
empty.
 
I don't think that it is a problem with the name resolution as
disconnecting
and remapping the files works fine. However the mapped drives are still
shown
empty.
Click to expand...


I've seen the exact problem you describe when the alternate DNS entry on the
client is mis-configured.

DDS
 
Hi,

Regarding Danny's suggestion, you can try to ping the server by IP,Netbios
name & FQDN to see if there are any clues when the problem occurs.

Also, you can check following article:

891957 Update is available that fixes various Volume Shadow Copy Service
issues in Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;891957


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
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======================================================



--------------------
 
All the IP-Settings are distributed with a DHCP Server, so the settings are
the same on all workstations and they are correct. I checked that. I also
checked the DNS and WINS entries, they seem to be correct too.

Interesting is, that only some W2K workstations show that behaviour. Most of
the W2K and all of the XP workstations don't have that problem.

And it's only doing that accessing that W2K Server. Access to the other
servers still works fine. Even reconnecting works using the hostname, it just
shows the mapped folders empty which they are not. So I think the name
resolution works fine.

Many thanks for your ideas so far :o)

BR
Marcus
 
Hi Marcus,

Regarding Danny's suggestion, you can try to ping the server by IP,Netbios
name & FQDN to see if there are any clues when the problem occurs.

Also, you can check following article:

891957 Update is available that fixes various Volume Shadow Copy Service
issues in Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;891957

As well as, when the problem occurs, please check the registry key:

HKCU/Network to see if the mapped drive key (drver letter of the mapped
drive) has values under it.

Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
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======================================================



--------------------
 
The problem still occurs.

Interesting is that the name resolution works when I ping the server from
the workstation. However when I try to access a shared folder on the sever by
addressing it with the UNC path doesn't work, neither using Hostname or FQDN.
Accessing a shared folder with IP-address works though.

So your idea that it is a problem with the name resolution seems to be
right, but it's weird that name resolution when pinging works, but from the
Windows Explorer it deosn't work.

Any further ideas?

Another question: When I ping the Hostname it automatically uses the FQDN,
is there any option for the ping command that I can prevent that?

BR
Marcus
 
Hi,

As you said, "However when I try to access a shared folder on the sever by
addressing it with the UNC path doesn't work, neither using Hostname or
FQDN. Accessing a shared folder with IP-address works though."

Did you get any error message? My suggestions as below:

1 Check the TCP/IP configuration of the "not accessible" computer #3. In
the DOS prompt, type ipconfig /all and press Enter.
1) Check Node Type: in the most case, it is Hybrid.
2) Compare IP Address with other good machine: They are should be in
the same ip range.
3) Also check the Subnet Mask: they should be the same.

2. Run net view IP (that is "not accessible" computer #3's IP). Check if
you receive "There are no entries in the list".

3. If net view IP is OK, we can try to use net view hostname(computer #3 's
name) to check if it is a name resolution issue.

4. Please let me know the results of the command "net view hostname" if
there are some error code.

For example:

A) You may receive "System error 5 has occurred" and "Access is denied"
when using net view command. In this case, you may have the permission
issue. Another symptom is that you can see the remote computer in Network
Neighborhood but not access it. Check these:
1. Do you have right to access the remote computer if it is domain network?
2. If it is workgroup network, have you created the same username and
password in remote computer?
3. Do you assign the user rights under Security tab if it is the NTFS
partition.

B) If you can net view IP while net view \\hostname gives you "System error
51 has occurred" and "windows cannot find the network path", you may have
the computer browser issue.
1.Make sure the Computer Browser is running.
2. Make sure the Server service is running
3. troubleshoot Mater Browser using browstat.exe.

Thanks.


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
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======================================================



--------------------
 
Ok, here are the results:

IP-Settings are ok
net view IP shows the shared folders
net view Hostname shows "There are no entries in the list"
net view FQDN shows the shared folders

The client still has access to other servers though and Windows XP clients
still have no problems to access this server. It's only a problem between W2K
Professional and this W2K Server.

Thanks and br
Marcus
 
Hi,

I suggest you check the file the Lmhosts or hosts file which is located in
the %SystemRoot%\System32\Drivers\Etc folder on a Windows computer. Open
them in notepad to check if the name & IP are matched.

Thanks.


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,and confers no rights.
======================================================



--------------------
 
Hi,

we neither use the lmhosts nor the hosts file. We are running DNS and WINS
Server for name resolution. I checked one of the affected workstations
though. No entries in the files.

Maybe it's a problem with the communication to the DNS/WINS Servers but the
event logs of them don't show any errors. And shouldn't in that case the name
resolution be done by a broadcast?

Was there any update for W2K that could cause that problem? As already
mentioned, the XP workstations have no problems. We deploy the updates to the
workstations with WSUS.

br
Marcus
 
Hi,

So far I don't hear any related update with Windows 2000 for such issue.

We can use the nbtstat.exe command to remove or correct preloaded entries.

We now: List the NetBIOS table of the local computer, type nbtstat -n at
the command prompt, and then press ENTER.

List the contents of the NetBIOS name cache, type nbtstat -c at the command
prompt, and then press ENTER.

Check if the server name - Ip are appeared in pair. Otherwise, I think we
should build lmhosts file to include the name <-> ip

Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,and confers no rights.
======================================================



--------------------
 
Hi,

when I use the nbtstat -c command it shows the server mtached correctly with
the IP-address and the identifier <20>, so that seems to be alright.

However when I use "net view server-hostname" it shows no entries. When I
use "net view server-fqdn" it shows all the shared folders available.

I already tried to disable Netbios over TCP/IP. When starting up the
machines all the shares are there and working properly. However after a while
the shares are lost again and I can't reconnect them using
"\\server-hostname\share". Using "\\server-fqdn\share" works though.

Any more ideas?
Thanks

BR
Marcus
 
Hi,

It is really a long time to hear from you. :)

I'd like to confirm that if you added the record in lmhosts file? Please
enable the netbios over tcp/ip and add the record in lmhosts file to see
the resutls. When you create lmhosts file, please follow the sample in
lmhosts.sam. Note, the lmhosts file is no extension, just named lmhosts.

Thanks.


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,and confers no rights.
======================================================



--------------------
 
Hi,
true, it has been a while...

I added the information to the lmhost file, but it doesn't change anything.
Still net view shows no entries found while nbet view fqdn shows the shares.

BR
Marcus
 
Hi,

Please run ipconfig/all and netdia when the problem occurs.

and please export the result, send me to (e-mail address removed)

Please add ID: 34500193 Title clients losing server connection in the mail
subject.

Thanks.


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,and confers no rights.
======================================================



--------------------
 
Hi ,

Sorry for delay in response due to the research.

From the netdiag log, I found:

Failed to read NBT interface info from the registry.

My suggestion is:

Check following registry key:

HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Netbt\Parameters
Value: TransportBindName

Changed the value to "\Device\" and restarted the computer to see the
results.


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,and confers no rights.
======================================================



--------------------
X-Tomcat-ID: 111810486
References: <[email protected]>
Click to expand...
<[email protected]>
<#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<fK#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<u#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
From: (e-mail address removed) (Vincent Xu [MSFT])
Organization: Microsoft
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2006 06:30:03 GMT
Subject: Re: clients losing server connection
X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.win2000.networking
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win2000.networking
Lines: 373
Path: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl
Xref: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl microsoft.public.win2000.networking:92180
NNTP-Posting-Host: TOMCATIMPORT1 10.201.218.122

Hi,

Please run ipconfig/all and netdia when the problem occurs.

and please export the result, send me to (e-mail address removed)

Please add ID: 34500193 Title clients losing server connection in the mail
subject.

Thanks.


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,and confers no rights.
======================================================



--------------------
Thread-Topic: clients losing server connection
thread-index: Aca/hFwHr1VQuvF2Rb27NI1VOMkLUA==
X-WBNR-Posting-Host: 217.89.116.194
From: =?Utf-8?B?TWFyY3Vz?= <[email protected]>
References: <[email protected]>
Click to expand...
<[email protected]>
<#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<fK#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<u#[email protected]>
Subject: Re: clients losing server connection
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2006 02:31:02 -0700
Lines: 311
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="Utf-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Newsreader: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000
Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message
Importance: normal
Priority: normal
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.3790.1830
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win2000.networking
Path: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl
Xref: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl microsoft.public.win2000.networking:92165
NNTP-Posting-Host: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl 10.40.2.250
X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.win2000.networking

Hi,
true, it has been a while...

I added the information to the lmhost file, but it doesn't change anything.
Still net view shows no entries found while nbet view fqdn shows the shares.

BR
Marcus

:

Hi,

It is really a long time to hear from you. :)

I'd like to confirm that if you added the record in lmhosts file? Please
enable the netbios over tcp/ip and add the record in lmhosts file to see
the resutls. When you create lmhosts file, please follow the sample in
lmhosts.sam. Note, the lmhosts file is no extension, just named lmhosts.

Thanks.


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,and confers no rights.
======================================================



--------------------
Thread-Topic: clients losing server connection
thread-index: Aca7kYVPCnGit0jwRpOKaPnRoZ0C4w==
X-WBNR-Posting-Host: 217.89.116.194
From: =?Utf-8?B?TWFyY3Vz?= <[email protected]>
References: <[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<fK#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<u#[email protected]>
Subject: Re: clients losing server connection
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2006 01:55:10 -0700
Lines: 322
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="Utf-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Newsreader: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000
Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message
Importance: normal
Priority: normal
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.3790.1830
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win2000.networking
Path: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl
Xref: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl microsoft.public.win2000.networking:92077
NNTP-Posting-Host: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl 10.40.2.250
X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.win2000.networking

Hi,

when I use the nbtstat -c command it shows the server mtached correctly
with
the IP-address and the identifier <20>, so that seems to be alright.

However when I use "net view server-hostname" it shows no entries. When I
use "net view server-fqdn" it shows all the shared folders available.

I already tried to disable Netbios over TCP/IP. When starting up the
machines all the shares are there and working properly. However
Click to expand...
after
a
while
the shares are lost again and I can't reconnect them using
"\\server-hostname\share". Using "\\server-fqdn\share" works though.

Any more ideas?
Thanks

BR
Marcus


:

Hi,

So far I don't hear any related update with Windows 2000 for such
issue.

We can use the nbtstat.exe command to remove or correct preloaded
entries.

We now: List the NetBIOS table of the local computer, type
Click to expand...
nbtstat
-n
at
the command prompt, and then press ENTER.

List the contents of the NetBIOS name cache, type nbtstat -c at the
command
prompt, and then press ENTER.

Check if the server name - Ip are appeared in pair. Otherwise, I think
we
should build lmhosts file to include the name <-> ip

Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader
so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,and confers no
rights.
======================================================



--------------------
Thread-Topic: clients losing server connection
thread-index: Acau++rkhM11VaIsSYWWd83UENhMWA==
X-WBNR-Posting-Host: 217.89.116.194
From: =?Utf-8?B?TWFyY3Vz?= <[email protected]>
References:
Click to expand...
<[email protected]>
<#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<fK#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: clients losing server connection
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 01:34:02 -0700
Lines: 321
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="Utf-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Newsreader: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000
Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message
Importance: normal
Priority: normal
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.3790.1830
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win2000.networking
Path: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl
Xref: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl microsoft.public.win2000.networking:91858
NNTP-Posting-Host: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl 10.40.2.250
X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.win2000.networking

Hi,

we neither use the lmhosts nor the hosts file. We are running
Click to expand...
DNS
and
WINS
Server for name resolution. I checked one of the affected
workstations
though. No entries in the files.

Maybe it's a problem with the communication to the DNS/WINS Servers
but
the
event logs of them don't show any errors. And shouldn't in that case
the
name
resolution be done by a broadcast?

Was there any update for W2K that could cause that problem? As
already
mentioned, the XP workstations have no problems. We deploy the
updates to
the
workstations with WSUS.

br
Marcus



:

Hi,

I suggest you check the file the Lmhosts or hosts file which is
located
in
the %SystemRoot%\System32\Drivers\Etc folder on a Windows computer.
Open
them in notepad to check if the name & IP are matched.

Thanks.


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

======================================================
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
======================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your
newsreader
so
that others
may learn and benefit from this issue.
======================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,and
Click to expand...
confers
no
rights.
======================================================



--------------------
Thread-Topic: clients losing server connection
thread-index: AcaqYLiNK8Xo3seISL62DY4VjSfEPw==
X-WBNR-Posting-Host: 217.89.116.194
From: =?Utf-8?B?TWFyY3Vz?= <[email protected]>
References:
Click to expand...
<[email protected]>
<#[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
<fK#[email protected]>
Subject: Re: clients losing server connection
Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2006 04:53:01 -0700
Lines: 316
Message-ID:
Click to expand...
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="Utf-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Newsreader: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000
Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message
Importance: normal
Priority: normal
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.3790.1830
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win2000.networking
Path: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl
Xref: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl
microsoft.public.win2000.networking:91805
NNTP-Posting-Host: TK2MSFTNGXA01.phx.gbl 10.40.2.250
X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.win2000.networking

Ok, here are the results:

IP-Settings are ok
net view IP shows the shared folders
net view Hostname shows "There are no entries in the list"
net view FQDN shows the shared folders

The client still has access to other servers though and Windows
XP
clients
still have no problems to access this server. It's only a problem
between
W2K
Professional and this W2K Server.

Thanks and br
Marcus

:

Hi,

As you said, "However when I try to access a shared
Click to expand...
folder
on
the
sever
by
addressing it with the UNC path doesn't work, neither using
Hostname or
FQDN. Accessing a shared folder with IP-address works though."

Did you get any error message? My suggestions as below:

1 Check the TCP/IP configuration of the "not accessible"
computer
#3.
In
the DOS prompt, type ipconfig /all and press Enter.
1) Check Node Type: in the most case, it is Hybrid.
2) Compare IP Address with other good machine: They are
should be
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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