laptops not able to access server

[Terry]

On a network I admin, we have two laptops that are having strange
connection problems. They login correctly. They have a problem
accessing one of the servers. Launching a program icon on the Desktop
that runs off the server gives "the link this refers to cannot be found"
(or similar). Typing in the UNC address in Explorer doesn't give an
error message, but no folders are displayed. If I type in the UNC of
another server (domain controller), it displays fine. If I login on the
laptops as myself (Admin rights), everything is fine. These users have
the same rights as other users that have no issues accessing this
particular server.

Today I typed up a paper for an assistant on one of the laptops and
after it printed, the server was accessible (launched the program icons,
could view folders in Explorer). I tested the same on the other laptop
and it did the same (the printers are shared on a server).

Any thoughts on what may be going on here?

Thanks,
--
Terry

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[Terry]

On 4/12/2007 8:47 AM On a whim, Chuck pounded out on the keyboard

Terry,

1) Is this a domain, or a workgroup?
2) What Operating system is on each computer:
# The 2 laptops.
# The problem server.
# Another server (where there's no problem).

Check that NetBT is Enabled Consistently on all computers, including servers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html

Check that name resolution is consistent on all computers, including servers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/address-resolution-on-lan.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/address-resolution-on-lan.html

Hi Chuck,

1. Domain
2. All machines XP Pro
3. All servers are Windows Server 2003

I will check NetBT & name resolution.

Thanks,
--
Terry

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[Chuck]

On a network I admin, we have two laptops that are having strange
connection problems. They login correctly. They have a problem
accessing one of the servers. Launching a program icon on the Desktop
that runs off the server gives "the link this refers to cannot be found"
(or similar). Typing in the UNC address in Explorer doesn't give an
error message, but no folders are displayed. If I type in the UNC of
another server (domain controller), it displays fine. If I login on the
laptops as myself (Admin rights), everything is fine. These users have
the same rights as other users that have no issues accessing this
particular server.

Today I typed up a paper for an assistant on one of the laptops and
after it printed, the server was accessible (launched the program icons,
could view folders in Explorer). I tested the same on the other laptop
and it did the same (the printers are shared on a server).

Any thoughts on what may be going on here?

Thanks,

Terry,

1) Is this a domain, or a workgroup?
2) What Operating system is on each computer:
# The 2 laptops.
# The problem server.
# Another server (where there's no problem).

Check that NetBT is Enabled Consistently on all computers, including servers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html

Check that name resolution is consistent on all computers, including servers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/address-resolution-on-lan.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/address-resolution-on-lan.html

 

[Terry]

On 4/12/2007 8:47 AM On a whim, Chuck pounded out on the keyboard

Terry,

1) Is this a domain, or a workgroup?
2) What Operating system is on each computer:
# The 2 laptops.
# The problem server.
# Another server (where there's no problem).

Check that NetBT is Enabled Consistently on all computers, including servers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html

Check that name resolution is consistent on all computers, including servers.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/address-resolution-on-lan.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/address-resolution-on-lan.html

Chuck,

I just left this client and was able to check one of the laptops.
Everything checked out per your info. The NIC was listed as a Hybrid, so
I changed the entry to Broadcast, but on reboot it was back to Hybrid,
but it doesn't sound like that's the issue. All clients have NetBT
enabled as do the servers, so that is consistent.

It is very strange that just one of the servers is randomly
inaccessible. Even the Offline file synch states the server is
"unavailable". When I click Connect or Retry, it connects fine.

If you have any other thoughts, it would be appreciated.

Thank you,

--
Terry

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

 

[Chuck]

On 4/12/2007 8:47 AM On a whim, Chuck pounded out on the keyboard


Chuck,

I just left this client and was able to check one of the laptops.
Everything checked out per your info. The NIC was listed as a Hybrid, so
I changed the entry to Broadcast, but on reboot it was back to Hybrid,
but it doesn't sound like that's the issue. All clients have NetBT
enabled as do the servers, so that is consistent.

It is very strange that just one of the servers is randomly
inaccessible. Even the Offline file synch states the server is
"unavailable". When I click Connect or Retry, it connects fine.

If you have any other thoughts, it would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Terry,

If this is a domain, are they using NetBT and broadcast name resolution (hybrid
/ mixed is broadcast), or maybe DNS / WINS? Are the servers firewalled, and if
so, what ports are open for file sharing? See my Advanced Windows Networking
tutorial.

Compare the laptops with other clients on the domain, that aren't having
problems.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/windows-xp-on-nt-domain.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/windows-xp-on-nt-domain.html