Windows NT Redirector Does Not Handle Invalid TID Properly

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SYMPTOMS

Excessive network traffic is generated after your losing contact with shared resources on computers running Windows NT Workstation. For example, client A shares a CD-ROM drive and client B connects to the share. Client A then runs File Manager and removes the share without notifying client B or logging off. Client B is still connected and performing work. As a result, a series of directly addressable frames between the two machines try to figure out what happened. Approximately 14 minutes later, Client B receives the message that the network drive can no longer be found. No error message is recorded in the event log.

CAUSE

The problem appears to be caused by the Windows NT redirector, which is not handling invalid Tree ID messages properly in some circumstances. This problem usually occurs when you use File Manager, but can occur with other 32-bit Windows-based applications, depending on how they are calling the WNet APIs. This problem does not seem to occur when you use a command line utility.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.5. A fix to this problem is in development, but has not been regression-tested and may be destabilizing in production environments. Microsoft does not recommend implementing this fix at this time. Contact Microsoft Product Support Services for more information on the availability of this fix.