Explorer Draws Default Icon for Shortcuts over Slow Link

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

In Windows Explorer, a shortcut to a file on a remote server is displayed as a default icon, rather than its registered file type.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if there are large numbers of shares on the remote server and the links between the two servers are slow, for example, with RAS connections. When you double-click any one of these default icons, it will not open. Windows Explorer acquires the icon asychronously, and will abandon this operation after a time-out value.

RESOLUTION

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

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).


To resolve this issue, create the following registry entry:

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).



2. Locate the following key in the registry:

   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\

   
   NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.



3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:

   Value Name: NetLinkTimeout
   Data Type: REG_DWORD
   Value: 7500 (milliseconds)




4. Quit Registry Editor.

Keywords : kbnetwork
Version : winnt:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb