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March 10th
1997

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CHAPTER 18

Error Messages



Error Messages

This chapter explains the meaning of all the DOS error codes in detail, it also tells you what actions you should take when you receive such an error code or message.

In addition, a network section is listed which explains how the error message relates to the errors you receive on a network drive or device. These network errors messages generally apply to all network operating systems that are compatible with NetSoft LAN, IBM PC LAN, or Microsoft Networks.

NetSoft LAN does not use any reserved error codes, neither does it re-define any of the existing error codes or messages.

Error message format

Each error message is explained in four parts as follows:

DESCRIPTION Gives a brief description of the error message, and may also describe why it occurred.

ACTION Explains what action you should take to correct the error.

NETWORK Explains how the error relates to the network (where applicable).

RIGHTS Explains which network access rights may affect or cause the error (where applicable).

Critical network error messages

You may receive an error message similar to the one shown below:

General failure writing device xxx-NETx Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail.

These are termed "Critical network error messages", and are explained in the last section (see page 313).


NOTE Error code numbers are expressed in hexadecimal (base 16). All of the error code numbers have the suffix "h". All other number are expressed in decimal (base 10).

DOS error messages

00h No error

DESCRIPTION Error 00h is not an error. Any value other than 00h may be considered an error.

ACTION None.

NETWORK None.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


01h Function number invalid

DESCRIPTION This error generally means that the function that you requested is not currently supported. This error is returned by DOS for any call that DOS does not support.

You may interpret this error as a DOS or Network support program such as SHARE.EXE not being loaded. For example, if you try to lock a record using the DOS LOCK or UNLOCK record calls, this error is returned if SHARE.EXE is not loaded.


NOTE SHARE.EXE contains the internal file and record locking for DOS. This is required by most multi-user or multi-tasking software, and is supplied as part of the DOS operating system.
ACTION Load the specific program or driver you wish to use (or indirectly use).

NETWORK Not Applicable.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


02h File not found

DESCRIPTION The file you requested was not found on the drive or in the directory that you specified.

ACTION Specify the correct drive or path or filename that you wish to access, and try again.

NETWORK Same.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


03h Path not found

DESCRIPTION You have specified a path that does not currently exist on the current, or specified drive.

ACTION Check that you have the correct access rights to the particular directory you wish to access.

NETWORK The directory may be protected, and you may require a password to access it.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


04h Too many open files (no handles available)

DESCRIPTION You have tried to open more files than are specified in your CONFIG.SYS FILES= parameter, or you have not loaded the NETFILES.COM program on the server, or you have exhausted the number of files specified by the NetFiles= parameter in the DOSNET.INI file on the server.

ACTION Increase the number of files that may be opened at any one time in your CONFIG.SYS file (found in the root directory of your boot disk). The maximum number of files is 255.

NETWORK Set the NetFiles= parameter to more than 255 in the DOSNET.INI file, and load the NETFILES.COM program on the server.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


05h Access denied

DESCRIPTION This message generally means that you do not have the privileges to have your request fulfilled.

For example, trying to delete a file on a server when you do not have create access rights for that server.

ACTION If the device or file is already in use, try again later.

NETWORK Log into the drive or device with the appropriate access rights.

RIGHTS Read/Write/Create (R) (W) (C).


06h Invalid handle

DESCRIPTION A handle is a unique 16-bit number used by DOS to refer to a specific open file or device that is used by the program that accesses that file or device.

The error refers to a program that has tried to use the handle that is not currently open.

ACTION Usually, this is a BUG in your software. Refer to the application's documentation, or contact your software dealer for an upgrade.

NETWORK If a server computer is booted while a client has files (handles) open on that server, all the client's files (i.e. those referring to that server) become invalid.

When the client attempts to access these files, DOS will return the message 'Invalid Handle' as these files would be closed on the server at this point.

If your client machine was re-booted while it had files open on a server and the server, is running NETFILES.COM programs, you may close these orphaned files from the server to prevent loss of data.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


07h Memory control block destroyed

DESCRIPTION A program has overwritten memory that it does not own. Usually, DOS displays the following message, and waits for you to re-boot:

Memory allocation error

Cannot load COMMAND, system halted.

ACTION Re-boot, and remove the offending program from memory.

NETWORK If this occurs on a server machine, all client machines using the server should close any open files that are associated with that particular server, as data loss could occur.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


08h Insufficient memory

DESCRIPTION There is less memory available than that requested.

ACTION Make more memory available for the specific application, or reduce the amount of memory required by application.

NETWORK All NetSoft LAN program files may be loaded into high memory, and some can store data in expanded memory.

If you have a memory manager, you should use its features to create more conventional memory for application software in the lower 640k area.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


09h Memory block address invalid

DESCRIPTION A program has returned a memory pointer that is invalid.

This error occurs if an application attempts to expand or shrink one of its memory blocks, but in doing so passes DOS an invalid memory address.

ACTION Usually, the error code means there is a BUG in a your software. Refer to the application's documentation, or contact your software dealer for an upgrade.

NETWORK If this happens on the server machine, it may need to be re-booted as the application that caused the error may have left the operating system (DOS) in an unstable state. Log out of that server from all client machines that are connected to it, before re-booting.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


0Ah Invalid Environment

DESCRIPTION Your environment is too small or too large.

ACTION Increase or decrease the size of the environment as required using the DOS command SHELL=C:\COMMAND.COM /e:xxxx in your CONFIG.SYS file, and re-start DOS.

NETWORK Not Applicable.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


0Bh Invalid format

DESCRIPTION The format used on the command line is incorrect. This error refers to a syntax error and may occur at the DOS command line.

ACTION Correct the syntax and try again.

NETWORK Same.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


0Ch Invalid access code - Open mode invalid

DESCRIPTION You are attempting to open a file or device, in a mode that is not permitted by DOS.

ACTION Programmers are referred to Chapter 16 "DEVELOPING MULTI-USER APPLICATIONS".

The DOS INTERRUPT 21H open file calls are the only MS-DOS calls that return this error code.

NETWORK Same.

RIGHTS Read/Write/Create (R) (W) (C).


0Dh Data invalid

DESCRIPTION The data you are using is incorrect.

ACTION Supply the correct information and try again. This is a general error message and usually refers to a syntax error.

NETWORK Same.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


0Eh Reserved

DESCRIPTION If you receive this error code, refer to your software's instruction manual as the error message may be application specific.

ACTION See application's documentation.

NETWORK NetSoft LAN does not use reserved error codes.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


0Fh Invalid drive

DESCRIPTION The drive you are trying to use:

a) does not exist. b) is not redirected. c) no longer exists. d) the LASTDRIVE= parameter in your CONFIG.SYS has a value less than the drive you are trying to use.

ACTION Specify the correct drive and try again, or install the device driver for the drive you are trying to access.

NETWORK Change the CONFIG.SYS of the client machine, re-boot, and re-connect to the server as normal, using the NET USE command.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


10h Attempted to remove current directory

DESCRIPTION You are attempting to remove the current directory that you (or other users) are using.

ACTION Change to a different directory, delete the contents of the directory, and try again.

NETWORK It is possible that the server-user is also logged into the directory that you are trying to remove. They must also change to a different directory before you can remove the directory from a client machine.

RIGHTS Create (C).


11h Not same device

DESCRIPTION You are trying to rename a file to a different drive, when you can only rename a file to the same drive.

ACTION Programmers are referred to the DOS Technical Reference Manual for MS-DOS 2.1+. This error is returned by DOS for INTERRUPT 21H function AH=56H (Rename a File), if the source drive does not match the destination drive.

The DOS INTERRUPT 21H function AH=56H is the only MS-DOS call that returns this error code.

NETWORK: Same.

RIGHTS Create (C).


12h No more files

DESCRIPTION This error is returned to software that reads the directory and displays filenames. It means there are no more files in this directory that match the given file specification.

NETWORK On a network, it also means that you have reached the end of the redirection entry list.

ACTION Not Applicable.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


13h Disk write-protected

DESCRIPTION You have attempted to write to a disk that is write-protected, or you do not have the privileges (access rights) to write to that disk.

ACTION This error may refer to one of the following:

a) Normally DOS will display a message similar to the one below:

Write-protect error writing drive A:

Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail. ?

You should always Abort the operation if it refers to a floppy disk because some versions of DOS may cause DATA LOSS to the diskette if you Retry.

b) The diskette may contain a disk format not supported by the disk drive you are writing to it with.

NETWORK Connect to the drive with the correct access rights.

RIGHTS Write/Create (W) (C).


14h Unknown unit

DESCRIPTION A device driver was passed an invalid sub-unit number (invalid drive number) that is not supported by that particular device driver.

ACTION Retry the operation. If this error persists then it is recommend that the device driver is not used, as the device driver itself may have become unstable and lead to data loss.

If your hardware does not work without the driver, contact your dealer for an upgraded version of the device driver.

NETWORK NetSoft LAN does not access, or use, disk device drivers.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


15h Drive not ready

DESCRIPTION The drive you are trying to access:

a) has no disk in it. b) the door is not closed. c) no longer exists.

ACTION a) Place diskette in the drive and try again.

b) Close the drive door and try again.

NETWORK c) Re-connect to the drive and try again.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


16h Unknown command

DESCRIPTION The command you specified is invalid. This usually means that there is a syntax error on the command line of the program that you are trying to use.

ACTION Check the syntax you are using and try again.

NETWORK The NetSoft LAN NET command returns this error if you type an invalid command.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


17h Data error (CRC)

DESCRIPTION A read or write to a device has caused a data error message, this message usually refers to a physical defective spot on the disk or a faulty disk drive.

ACTION If this occurs on a floppy disk, try to retrieve and back up as much of your data as possible, then re-format the floppy disk (or better still, discard that particular disk), and restore the data to a 100% error-free diskette.

If this occurs on your hard disk, back up your hard disk, immediately, and run your disk diagnostic's software on the failing hard disk. If that does not show up any errors, check that your BIOS CMOS settings are correct for your particular hard disk. Many machines are shipped with the wrong hard disk CMOS settings, but with a setting that will work until your disk starts to fill up.

Excellent disk diagnostic utilities are available, e.g. PC-Tools and Norton Utilities.

It is recommended that you run your diagnostic software in the following circumstances:

a) When you suspect that you may have a problem with your hard disk (i.e. If it suddenly becomes noisier than usual).

b) When you receive one or more of the following error messages occurring unexpectedly, that refer to your hard disk:

17h Data error (CRC). 19h Seek error. 1Ah Unknown media type (non-DOS disk). 1Bh Sector not found. 1Dh Write fault. 1Eh Read fault. 1Fh General failure.

For example:

General failure reading drive C:

Abort, Fail, Retry, Ignore.

NETWORK Same, but refers to the server's disk. On some networks, the above errors may be returned if you disconnect the network cable from a server.

NetSoft LAN always returns the correct error, as it would be displayed locally. If you disconnect a cable from a NetSoft LAN server, DOS will display one of the error messages listed at the end of this section.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


18h Bad request structure length

DESCRIPTION A device driver was passed an incorrect length request header.

ACTION Retry the operation. If this error persists, it is recommended that the device driver (for one of your drives) should not be used, as the device driver itself may have become unstable, leading to data loss.

If your hardware will not work with the driver, contact your dealer for an upgraded version of the device driver.

NETWORK NetSoft LAN does not access or use disk device drivers.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


19h Seek error

DESCRIPTION The diskette or hard disk drive controller could not find the specified track on the disk.

ACTION If the error occurred writing to a diskette, ensure that the drive door is closed properly.

If this error occurs unexpectedly, follow the procedure for error code 17h Data error (CRC), as described on page 294.

NETWORK Same but refers to the server's disk.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


1Ah Unknown media type (non-DOS disk)

DESCRIPTION The File Allocation Table (FAT) contains invalid information, or is not DOS compatible.

ACTION Corrective action may be available using good disk diagnostic/utilities, or you could use DOS CHKDSK command.

If this error occurs unexpectedly, follow the procedure for error code 17h Data error (CRC), as described on page 294.

NETWORK Same, but refers to the server's disk.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


1Bh Sector not found

DESCRIPTION The sector containing the data could not be found on the disk.

ACTION If the error occurred writing to a diskette, ensure that the drive door is closed properly.

If this error occurs unexpectedly, follow the procedure for errorcode 17h Data error (CRC), as described on page 294.

NETWORK Same but refers to the server's disk.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


1Ch Printer out of paper

DESCRIPTION This indicates that the printer is out of paper or off-line.

ACTION Ensure that the printer is on-line and has paper, and retry the operation. If this error persists, check that your printer cable is connected to the correct printer port.

NETWORK Same applies, but refers to a network printer.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


1Dh Write fault

DESCRIPTION DOS was unable to write to a drive or device.

ACTION If the device was a printer, ensure that you are connected using the NET USE command to the network printer.

If the error occurred writing to a diskette, ensure that the drive door is closed properly.

If the error occurred writing to a local or network hard disk, check the disk space available. The disk may be full.

If this error occurs unexpectedly, follow the procedure for error code 17h Data error (CRC), as described on page 294.

NETWORK Same, but refers to the server's disk or printer.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


1Eh Read fault

DESCRIPTION DOS was unable to read from a drive or device.

ACTION If the error occurred reading from a diskette, ensure that the drive door is closed properly.

If this error occurs unexpectedly, follow the procedure for error code 17h Data error (CRC), as described on page 294.

NETWORK Same, but refers to the server's disk.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


1Fh General failure

ACTION This is a non-specific error message that may occur on a device or a drive.

In general, this error is returned if a device driver cannot determine the exact fault, or if the error that occurred on the drive or device is very obvious.

Some examples are:

General failure writing device PRN Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail

and

General failure reading drive A: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail.

If this error occurs unexpectedly, follow the procedure for error code 17h Data error (CRC), as described on page 294.

NETWORK Same, but refers to the server's disk or printer.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


20h Sharing violation

DESCRIPTION A file or device has been opened by another user or application in a mode that denies you access. This error usually displays a message similar to the following:

Sharing violation on drive C: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail.

ACTION If this error occurs while you are loading a program or batch file such as an .EXE, .COM or .BAT, try setting the program files attribute to read-only with the DOS ATTRIB +R command. This will automatically allow you to read the file (for the purpose of loading programs) simultaneously, on two or more computers, without causing this error message.

Alternatively, you can retry the operation a few seconds later, as the other user will have finished loading that file, making it available to other users.

If you are not loading a program, but trying to access a data file, then either you do not have the correct access rights, or the file was opened in a mode that denies you access (e.g. exclusive mode).

NETWORK Same.

RIGHTS Read/Write/Create (R) (W) (C).


21h Lock violation

DESCRIPTION The region (or record) of the file you have tried to LOCK or UNLOCK is:

a) already locked (if trying to lock). b) not locked (if trying to unlock). c) the record parameters supplied to the original LOCK do not match that of the UNLOCK.

ACTION From an end-user point of view, you should retry the operation again later, as someone else is currently using that section of the same file.

From the programmers point of view, the record or file you are trying to lock is already locked, so inform the user of this. In addition, provide the user with an option to back-out of the operation, rather than go into an infinite loop waiting for the lock to be free. Remember that the server machine may have locked-up. This would also cause the client machine to lock-up! Many applications overlook this point when writing multi-user software.

This error is only returned to applications if the SHARE.EXE program is loaded. If SHARE.EXE is not loaded, locking will not occur and any LOCK or UNLOCK calls will return error 01h Invalid function call.

Error 01h also causes many multi-user applications to hang on a network if SHARE.EXE is not loaded on the server. Programmers must check for specific error codes and take the appropriate action, rather than assuming the record or file is already locked.

In addition, SHARE.EXE uses multiplex INTERRUPT 2FH for a install check. You should not call this function to check if SHARE.EXE is installed, because it may be installed on the client machine and not on the server (where the actual lock is made). You should simply make the LOCK call and check the error code as stated above.

NETWORK Same.

RIGHTS Read/Write/Create (R) (W) (C).


22h Invalid disk change

DESCRIPTION The disk in the high capacity removable drive has been changed unexpectedly, while files were open.

ACTION Replace the disk in the correct drive and retry the operation.

NETWORK A remote user may have removed the diskette without realising it was in use over the network. Replace the disk, and try again.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.



23h FCB unavailableDESCRIPTION Your application tried to open more File Control Blocks (FCB's) than are specified in your CONFIG.SYS file.

ACTION Increase the value in your CONFIG.SYS for the FCBS= parameter to the required number of FCB's.

NETWORK All FCB calls to a network drive are converted to file handle calls, so you do not need to adjust the servers CONFIG.SYS, unless this message appears on the actual server machine.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


24h Sharing buffer overflow

DESCRIPTION You have tried to use more LOCKS than are currently allowed, or SHARE.EXE has run out of work space.

ACTION Increase the number of LOCKS allowed. This is done via a command line parameter for SHARE.EXE command line.

For details on the SHARE.EXE command line parameters, see Chapter 13 "THE DOS SHARE COMMAND".

NETWORK Same.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.



25h to 31h ReservedDESCRIPTION If you receive one of these error codes, refer to your software's instruction manual, as the error message may be application-specific.

ACTION See application's documentation.

NETWORK NetSoft LAN does not use reserved error codes.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


Network specific error messages


32h Network request not supported

DESCRIPTION You have requested something that is not currently supported by the current network configuration, (or version), or the remote network's configuration, if you requested something from a remote computer.

ACTION Check that the request is supported by the remotecomputer.

For example, you may be trying to use a client machine's resource, when you can only use a server's resource.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


33h Remote computer not listening

DESCRIPTION The network machine you are trying to access is currently not operational, busy or off-line.

A server or client is only considered on-line when the network software is running.

ACTION Ensure that the server you are attempting to access is on-line. In addition, ensure that you are accessing the right server (i.e. specify the correct machine name).

If you still have a problem, check your physical connection (cabling). You may not be connected to the target computer physically.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


34h Duplicate name on network

DESCRIPTION A network name already exists on the network that matches the name you are trying to assign.

ACTION Use a different network name, or delete the matching name from the network and try again.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


35h Network name not found

DESCRIPTION A network name that you are trying to access cannot be found on the network.

ACTION Ensure that the network name is assigned, usingthe NET SHARE command on the server.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


36h Network busy

DESCRIPTION The network is busy.

ACTION Try the request again later. NetSoft LAN does not return this error message.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


37h Network device no longer exists

DESCRIPTION The network name you are trying to use is no longer available.

ACTION The computer on which the name should have resided may have reset or stopped sharing that particular name.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


38h Network BIOS command limit exceeded

DESCRIPTION The network has too many NetBIOS requests waiting to be performed.

ACTION Retry the operation. If this error persists, restart the network with a larger number for the Commands= parameter in the DOSNET.INI on the server.

Make sure the NetBIOS module is loaded on both the server and client machines. On NetSoft LAN, NetBIOS is only required for NetBIOS specific applications.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


39h Network adapter hardware error

DESCRIPTION A hardware error has occurred within the network adapter, or the cable is not connected.

ACTION Install the network adapter correctly, and check your cabling. Also, check that your cabling is terminated if it requires terminators.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


3Ah Incorrect response from network

DESCRIPTION The network returned a response different from that expected, because you attempted to do a task on a remote computer that was not supported by that computer or its network configuration.

ACTION Consult the network documentation.

NetSoft LAN does not return this error message.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


3Bh Unexpected network error

DESCRIPTION An unexpected network error occurred.

ACTION NetSoft LAN does not return this error message, but some software such as Microsoft Windows will still display it to the user when you try to connect to a server that is not on-line.

The reason for this, is that windows may time-out before the network times out, and so was unexpected to Windows.

In addition, some application software display this error message as a general network error message, rather than display individual specific network error messages.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


3Ch Incompatible remote adapter

DESCRIPTION The remote network adapter is not compatible with the one that is currently installed locally.

ACTION Install the correct network adapter, or configure the adapters to be compatible with each other.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


3Dh Print queue full

DESCRIPTION The printer queue you are trying to use is currently full.

ACTION Try again later. If the queue is not full check the disk free space on the spooler's temporary storage device. It may be full.

NetSoft LAN will only return this error if the spooler's disk is full, because, you are not limited to the number of spooler queued files, or the number of users that may spool files concurrently.

You are limited to the number of spooled files that can be displayed, when you request a list of the print queue for queue control. This limit, however, is configurable.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


3Eh Queue not full

DESCRIPTION The print queue is not full at this time. This is not an error code as such, but more of an informative code.

ACTION It is okay to send print to the queue.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


3Fh Not enough space to print file

DESCRIPTION The spooler's disk is full.

ACTION Please try again later, or delete some files to make more disk space available on the printer spooler's disk.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


40h Network name was deleted

DESCRIPTION The network name you are trying to use is no longer available.

ACTION The computer on which the name should have resided may have reset (or stopped sharing) that particular name.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


41h Access denied

DESCRIPTION This message generally means that you do not have the privileges to have your request fulfilled.

For example, trying to delete a file on a server, when you do not have create access rights for that server.

ACTION If the file (or device) is already in use, try again later, or log into the drive or device with the appropriate access rights.

RIGHTS Read/Write/Create (R) (W) (C).


42h Network device type incorrect

DESCRIPTION The local device type is different from the remote device type that you are trying to NET USE or NET SHARE.

For example, if you are trying to connect F: to LPT1 on the remote, or trying to connect LPT1 to C: on the remote, or if you are trying to NET SHARE LPT1=C:\DIRNAME.

ACTION Usually, this is a syntax error on the NET USE, or NET SHARE command lines. Correct the syntax and try again.

You can type NET SHARE /? or NET USE /? for help on the correct syntax if you are using the NetSoft LAN NET command.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


43h Network name not found

DESCRIPTION The network name you specified is incorrect, or is not available at this time on the network.

ACTION Ensure the network name is assigned on the server machine and try again.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


44h Network name limit exceeded

DESCRIPTION You have tried to NET SHARE too many network names.

ACTION Either delete some network names using NET SHARE shortname /D, or increase the number of the Shortnames= parameter in the DOSNET.INI file and restart the network.

If you use the NET SHARE command on a client-only configuration this error will be returned because a client-only configuration cannot share its resources with others.

Make sure the NetBIOS module is loaded on both the server and workstation. On NetSoft LAN, this is only required for NetBIOS specific applications.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


45h Network BIOS session limit exceeded

DESCRIPTION The NetBIOS local session table is full, your request will not be granted.

ACTION Try the operation again later. If this error persists, increase the number of the Sessions= parameter in the DOSNET.INI and restart the network.

Make sure the NetBIOS module is loaded on both the server and workstation. On NetSoft LAN, this is only required for NetBIOS specific applications.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


46h Temporarily paused

DESCRIPTION The device you are connected to is currently paused, or the device is not available at this time.

ACTION Try again later.

NetSoft LAN does not pause shared devices like most networks, as this can lead to data loss and can cause applications to abort unexpectedly. This, in turn, may hang a server or client machine.

NetSoft LAN does support some of the NET PAUSE commands, but handles them in such a way, that does not affect client users, using shared resources.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


47h Network request not accepted

DESCRIPTION You have requested something that is not currently supported by the current network configuration, (or version), or the remote network's configuration, if you requested something from a remote computer.

ACTION Check that the request is supported by the remote computer.

For example, if you are trying to use a client machine's resource when you may only use a server's resource.

If you are attempting to redirect a printer port (such as PRN or LPT1) to a remote network printer, and this error message is returned, then you have not loaded the NetSoft LAN Printer Redirector (PRNREDIR.COM) on the client machine that you are trying to redirect.

Make sure all components you are trying to use are loaded.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


48h Printer or disk redirection paused

DESCRIPTION The printer or disk redirector is paused, meaning that if you redirected the local C: to a remote C: then paused redirection, you now have access to your local C: drive again, until you use NET CONTINUE command.

ACTION Enable printer or disk redirection with the NET CONTINUE command and try again.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


50h File exists

DESCRIPTION The file you are trying to create, or replace, already exists.

ACTION Usually, you will be prompted to overwrite the existing file.

Programmers should refer to the DOS Technical Reference Manual for MS-DOS 3.0+. This error is returned by DOS for INTERRUPT 21H function AH=5BH (Create New File), if the file already existed.

RIGHTS Create (C).


51h Reserved

DESCRIPTION If you receive this error code, refer to your software instruction manual, as the error message may be application-specific.

ACTION See application's documentation. NetSoft LAN does not use reserved error codes.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


52h Cannot make directory

DESCRIPTION This message generally means that you do not have the privileges to have your request granted, or the directory already exists.

This messages is also returned if you trying to make a new directory in the root directly, when the disk's root directory table is full.

Sub directories may contain an unlimited number of file entries, whereas root directories are normally limited to 512 entries.

ACTION Check that you have create access rights, and try again.

RIGHTS Create (C).


53h Fail on INT 24h

DESCRIPTION This error is returned to application software that attempted to perform a disk or device operation that failed, and prompted the user with:

<error class> <reading/writing> <drive/device> Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail.

And the user selected Fail.

ACTION Selecting Fail over Ignore is recommended (if Retry does not work), because it at least informs the application that an error did occur, whereas Ignore does not inform the application of any error. This can lead to loss of data if the application is unaware of the error.

The exceptions to this general rule are, when you must restore some data from diskettes to a hard drive and the error is displayed:

Error reading drive A: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail.

In this case, Ignore is preferable (assuming Retry does not work), because the DOS restore command will at least continue to restore the rest of the files, instead of aborting with useless message.

The context in which the above example may be understood, is when you know that the diskettes that contain the backup data are faulty (or defective) in certain sectors, but you still wish to restore as much of the data as possible.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


54h Too many redirections

DESCRIPTION You have tried to redirect too many devices across the network.

You have tried to redirect a device or drive with the NET USE command, and exhausted the number of redirections specified in the DOSNET.INI file.

ACTION Cancel some of your existing redirections using NET USE <device or name> /D command, or increase the number of the MaxRedirections= parameter in the DOSNET.INI file, and restart the network.

A server-only configuration (i.e. not client) will always receive this message if it tries to redirect any drives or devices.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


55h Duplicate redirection

DESCRIPTION The local device name that you are trying to redirect is already redirected.

ACTION Cancel your local device name from the redirection table using NET USE <device name or drive or network name> /D, and redirect the device name again.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


56h Invalid password

DESCRIPTION The password you specified when using the NET USE command, to connect to a server's drive or device or network name, is incorrect.

ACTION Use the correct password, and try again. The password may have been changed.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


57h Invalid parameter

DESCRIPTION The parameter used for a command line is incorrect. This error refers to a syntax error.

This error may occur at the DOS prompt.

ACTION Correct the syntax and try again.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


58h Network write fault

DESCRIPTION DOS was unable to write to a drive or device.

ACTION If the device was a printer, ensure that you are connected using the NET USE command to the network printer.

If the error occurred writing to a diskette, ensure that the drive door is closed properly.

If the error occurred writing to a local or remote hard disk, check the disk space available. The disk may be full.

If this error occurs unexpectedly, follow the procedure for error code 17h Data error (CRC), as described on page 294.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


59h to FFh Reserved

DESCRIPTION If you receive any of these error codes then refer to your software's instruction manual as the error message may be application specific.

ACTION See application's documentation. NetSoft LAN does not use reserved error codes.

RIGHTS Not Applicable.


Critical network error messages

The following is a list of network device names used by NetSoft LAN to identify a failing driver. Usually, these errors are displayed only if the network times out (i.e. a remote machine does not respond in time).

If you have a driver loaded (e.g. ARCNET.COM), and you connect to a server machine via Arcnet using the NET USE command, If you then disconnect the network cable from your client machine you will receive the following error message the next time you access the server machine while the cable is disconnected:

General failure writing device ARC-NETx
Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail.

If you are not using Arcnet, but another driver (or multiple drivers), then the list below will identify the failing driver or cable:


  Device    NetSoft LAN Driver Type
   Name

 ARC-NETx    Arcnet Driver x
 COM-NETx    Serial Port driver x
 ETH-NETx    NE1000/NE2000 Ethernet driver x
 FTP-NETx    FTP Ethernet Packet Driver x
 MOD-NETx    Modem Driver x
 NDI-NETx    NDIS Ethernet Driver x
 ODI-NETx    ODI Ethernet Driver x
 PAR-NETx    Parallel Port driver x
 SMC-NETx    SMC Ethernet driver x

The -NETx part of the device name refers to the driver number. For example, COM-NET2 refers to the second serial port driver (SERIAL.COM) loaded. This would indicate that there is a problem using the second serial port, cable, or connection.

If you receive one of these error messages, it means the communications between the client and the server have failed. This is usually due to one or more of the following:

Network cable is not connected (or not terminated) correctly.

Network hardware is faulty.

Excessive network errors have occurred (collisions for example).

The DOStimeout= parameter value in the DOSNET.INI file is too short. A short delay is acceptable on an Ethernet or Arcnet based network, but may be unsuitable for a link over a slow Modem.

Sometimes when you display a directory of a server's disk using the DOS DIR command, an error is returned just before the disk free space is displayed at the bottom of the directory listing. This is usually due to a network time-out error, as it can take some slow hard disks a long time (four or more seconds) to calculate the bytes free on the disk. If this occurs simply increase the DOStimeout= parameter in the DOSNET.INI file.

These error messages are usually only displayed if you have disconnected yourself from the network, or if one of your connecting machines (Routing Machines) was disconnected from the network etc.

If you re-connect the failing machine's cables (assuming cabling was the problem), NetSoft LAN will automatically re-connect, and continue with the original request when you press R for Retry.


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