Can't net send messages to some computers

[ced]

Hello. I'm a system administrator of a little government organization
and sometime a must send messages to all the users saying to exit some
programs cause an update must be found.

The problem is that when I send a message with "net send * message"
some computers doesn't receive the message. I've read some
documentation about NetBIOS protocol and WINS service in internet but
I can't figure out the solution.

I have one server with Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition Service
Pack 2 installed.

The strange thing is that computers that doesn't receive messages:

- have the Messenger service running;

- in WINS have the same entries of computers that receives the
messages, entries like this:
PC-STATOCIVILE [00h] Workstation 10.103.0.117 Active 10.103.0.60 2683C
04/01/2008 9.38.11
PC-STATOCIVILE [03h] Messenger 10.103.0.117 Active 10.103.0.60 2683A
04/01/2008 9.38.11
PC-STATOCIVILE [20h] File server 10.103.0.117 Active 10.103.0.60 2683B
04/01/2008 9.38.11

- starts receiving messages if I restart the Messenger service on that
computers;

- executing the command "net send PROBLEMATIC-PC message" gives a
message error saying that more informations can be found typing NET
HELPMSG 2273;

- sometime have not the entry "[03h] Messenger" in WINS database and
if I add the entry the command "net send PROBLEMATIC-PC message" still
gives me error message saying to look at NET HELPMSG 2273.

Can anyone help me?

thanks

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

On the problem machines, start/run, type :
gpedit.msc

If Pro XP, there could be a local Policy setting against the Messenger
service.
local/computer config/admin templates/windows components/windows messenger.

If Home edition (no gpedit), there could be a registry entry for that.
my text file 'system.adm' shows:

KEYNAME "Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client"

POLICY !!WinMSG_NoWindowsMsg_Comp
#if version >= 4
SUPPORTED !!SUPPORTED_WindowsXP
#endif


EXPLAIN !!WinMSG_NoWindowsMsg_Help
VALUENAME "PreventRun"
VALUEON NUMERIC 1
VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0