Inconsistent Error Messages When Access Is Not Permitted to a Shared Resource

ID: Q227607

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to connect to a shared resource for which you do not have access permissions, you receive different responses in Windows Explorer or at a command prompt. In Windows Explorer, you receive the following error message:

\\server\share is not accessible. Access is denied

At a command prompt, you receive the following error message:

The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.

This error message should state "Access is denied."

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

A Network Monitor capture shows that the server returns a correct status:

STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg kbnetwork
Version : WINDOWS:2000; winnt:4.0
Platform : WINDOWS winnt
Issue type : kbprb