Error Message: The Server Returned Extended Information

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 4.01 for Windows 95
• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you try to connect to an FTP site, you may receive the following error message:

   Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site ftp://ftp.<site>.com

   The server returned extended information

CAUSE

FTP servers can return textual error information describing a failure situation. The error message indicates that the server has returned such information, but Internet Explorer only indicates that the error was received by the client. It does not relay the exact contents of the error.

A possible cause of this message is that Internet Explorer cannot use passive mode to transfer a file. In passive mode, the client connects to the server to initiate data transfer; the normal mode, which Internet Explorer currently does not support, is for the server to connect to the client

Another possibility is that the server has reached its FTP Anonymous limit.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, use the Ftp.exe tool. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and then click MS-DOS Prompt.

2. Type the following command at the command prompt, and then press ENTER:

         ftp
   

3. At the FTP prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

         open <IP address or host name>
   

   help

   help <command>

If the error message is related to the maximum users allowed on the site, try at various intervals and times to see if you are granted access.