Other computers see drives, but can't connect on network

[JoRene]

I have a strange problem that just arose (possibly due to
a MS "fix", though I'm not sure.) I have 3 computers
networked, and until a day or so ago, all could connect
with one another. Suddenly two computers cannot see the
files on my main computer (a WinXPHome); networking is
working and the computer and the shared drives show up in
network neighborhood on both of the other computers; the
mapped drives appear. But when I try to connect and see
any files, I get error messages. The WinXP computer (#2)
gives the message that the drive is not accessible, with
a further message that there may not be enough server
storage. The Win98 computer (#3) says it cannot connect
and the "there is not enough memory available." On
checking there is plenty of memory. And the two
computers that are working correctly (2 & 3) can connect
two one another fine with no error messages, so the
problem must be something on computer #1. I have shut
down Zone Alarm and the problem remains. (And they were
connecting until a day or so ago with ZoneAlarm
enabled.) I have checked the network settings and the
drives are shared and none made private. I don't know
where else to check. Has anyone else who applied recent
security patches, of which there have been many, had a
problem? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a strange problem that just arose (possibly due to
a MS "fix", though I'm not sure.) I have 3 computers
networked, and until a day or so ago, all could connect
with one another. Suddenly two computers cannot see the
files on my main computer (a WinXPHome); networking is
working and the computer and the shared drives show up in
network neighborhood on both of the other computers; the
mapped drives appear. But when I try to connect and see
any files, I get error messages. The WinXP computer (#2)
gives the message that the drive is not accessible, with
a further message that there may not be enough server
storage. The Win98 computer (#3) says it cannot connect
and the "there is not enough memory available." On
checking there is plenty of memory. And the two
computers that are working correctly (2 & 3) can connect
two one another fine with no error messages, so the
problem must be something on computer #1. I have shut
down Zone Alarm and the problem remains. (And they were
connecting until a day or so ago with ZoneAlarm
enabled.) I have checked the network settings and the
drives are shared and none made private. I don't know
where else to check. Has anyone else who applied recent
security patches, of which there have been many, had a
problem? Any help would be appreciated.

That error message is very misleading. The problem is probably that
an antivirus program has changed an obscure TCP/IP setting. Please
see this Microsoft Knowledge Base article for a likely solution,
specifying a value of 15 for IRPStackSize on computer #1:

Antivirus Software May Cause Event ID 2011
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;177078
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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