Cannot Delete Directory from FPNW Server

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft File and Print Services for NetWare

SYMPTOMS

After you delete a directory on a File and Print Services for NetWare (FPNW) server, the directory still shows up in File Manager and in a DIR listing. If you try to look at the contents of the directory, you will get an 'Access Denied' error message. The security options in File Manager will be grayed out when this directory is selected, even if the directory is on a Windows NT file system (NTFS) partition.

CAUSE

When the directory was deleted, FPNW still had a handle open to the directory. Windows NT simply marked the directory as pending deletion. When a directory is in this state, it will show up in a directory list, but it cannot be accessed.

For example, suppose FPNW allocated this handle for a NetWare Core Protocol (NCP) client that requested a Directory Search Handle. The client will not tell FPNW when it is done with the handle. This is caused by the design of the NCP client. Because FPNW does not know when the client is done with the handle, it will hold on to the handle until one of the following events occurs:

• The client that requested the handle logs out.
• The client that requested the handle un-maps its connection to the volume where the directory exists.
• The handle is re-allocated to a new directory. The last event occurs when the client exceeds its maximum concurrent directory search limit

RESOLUTION

The behavior is by design. Eventually the handle will be released and the directory will disappear.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.