Cannot Access Files on Novell 3.11 Server

• Microsoft Windows 95

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to access a file on a NetWare 3.11 server from a Windows 95- based computer using the Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks, you may receive one of the following error messages:

• File not accessible
• File not found
• Sharing violation

When you send a message from Microsoft Exchange, if the post office is located on a Novell 3.11 server, you may receive the following error message:

   The message recipients mailbag does not exist or is busy. Contact
   your administrator.

CAUSE

These errors occur when a File Open request is sent to a NetWare 3.11 server but the client does not properly receive a "file open success" message. This causes the File Open request to be repeated. Under normal circumstances, the server would resend the "file open success" message to the client. However, the server returns a "file already open" failure message to the client instead. This error occurs only when you are opening a file on a NetWare 3.11 server with the OS/2 namespace module loaded on the server and long file name support enabled on the client. Therefore, the error does not occur when you are using a Novell work-station shell (NETX or VLM).

Note that this error does not occur on NetWare version 3.12 or higher servers.

RESOLUTION

Once the file has been left open on the server, it must be closed to resolve the error. To prevent the error from occurring, use one of the following methods:

• Use a Novell workstation shell (NETX or VLM) instead of the Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks.
• Disable long filename support on the client by modifying the SYSTEM.INI file or editing the registry.
• Obtain the OS2OPNFX.NLM patch for the Novell 3.11 server from Novell. For more information about this patch, please refer to the Windows 95 Beta Release Notes, or contact Novell.

MORE INFORMATION

To disable long filename support on the Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks, use either of the following methods:

• Add the following two lines to the SYSTEM.INI file:

        [NWRedir]
        supportLFN=0
  

• Edit the following key in the registry:

        HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\NWREDIR
  

  Add a binary value called supportlfn with a value of 0 to the key. The allowable values are 0 (do not support long filenames) and 1 (support long filenames when available). The default value is 1.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.