Work Stations Losing Connection

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Paul Fenton

We have a Dell Server running Windows Server 2000, with about 10
workstations, mostly XP, with a few 2000 Pro. This arrangement has
worked very well for a number of years, but recently we're having
connection problems.

A couple of the XP machines, after running fine for years, will just
refuse to connect with the server. It's as if it doesn't exist, but
the other workstations are fine. The last time it happened on one of
the machines, I was able to reconnect by using System Restore. That's
not working this time.

I've checked cables, the switch, the router, etc. and can't figure out
what's going on. The error message is:

"An error occured while connecting J: to \\apserver\data Microsoft
Windows Network : The local device name is already in use"

Can someone point me in a direction that I can look?


Paul Fenton
(e-mail address removed)
 
I'd first check the event logs on both the server and the client(s) to see
if an earlier error during logon or drive mapping is causing your problems.
The "... local device name ..." error most often means failure to connect to
a share as opposed to what it really says.

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Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
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Richard, I did as you suggested and checked the event log. I saw
something there that made me think to check the # of DHCP addresses
might be a problem, so I changed it from 20 users to 30. That fixed
it.

It seems that for reasons I don't understand, the 9 workstations were
using up the previously allocated 20 IP's (192.168.1.101 thru 120) and
so these workstations couldn't get back their leases.

So now I have 30 IP's for 9 workstations. Not sure if this is the way
to go or not, so if you have any suggestions to prevent this from
happening in the future, I would appreciate it.

Details:

Win 2k Server, operating as Workgroup
Linksys router, Static IP
9 workstations.
Dell 24 port switch

Another thing... When I open the Linksys router and look at the DHCP
Clients Table, I only see 7 of the 9 workstations and these are the
ones that couldn't connect previously.



Paul Fenton
 
I would make sure the server does not have dhcp enabled also. It could be a
case of 2 dhcp servers serving up IP addresses. Also do you have wireless?
 
That does seem somewhat odd, I can't say that I've ever seen that kind of
behaviour on my network. Do you have any kind of wireless or virtual PCs on
the network?

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
 
This says that the drive letter "J" is already in use.

A couple of possibilities:
1. a removable device was added and assigned the drive letter J - for
example, a USB key or disk drive
or
2. there is already a mapped network drive with the drive letter J

To check for 1. use Computer Management, Disk Management

To check for 2. open a command prompt and use the command:

net use

This will show all the currently mapped devices. If there is something
mapped to J already, you can un-map it using the command

net use j: /d
 
Richard & Eugene, there are no wireless devices or virtual PC's. As
far as I know, DHCP is not enabled on the server. The router is
supposed to be handling all that.


Paul Fenton
 
I would let the Windows 2000 Server handle DHCP and turn it off on the
router, especially if you're running an Active Directory domain. I've seen
some routers get really flakey in handing out addresses.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
 
Also you could try cutting the lease time in half or so. This might help
free some up.
 
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