Microsoft KB Archive/259878

= Error when you try to access shared resources on a computer that is running Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003: &quot;System error 53 has occurred&quot; or &quot;System error 51 has occurred&quot; =

Article ID: 259878

Article Last Modified on 2/28/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)

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This article was previously published under Q259878



SYMPTOMS
When you try to access shared resources on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows Server 2003, you may receive one of the following error messages:

Message 1
System error 53 has occurred. The network path was not found.

Message 2
System error 51 has occurred. The remote computer is not available.

When you try to view the properties of a Windows 2000 client on a domain controller that is running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, you receive the following error in Server Manager:

The remote computer is not available. net use * \\ \ System error 53 has occurred. The network path was not found. Start, run \\ \

You cannot see any networks in Network Neighborhood.

For example, this problem may occur if you use the net view command or the net use command.



CAUSE
This problem may occur if File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is disabled or is not installed.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, make sure File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is enabled. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Log on to the computer by using administrative credentials.
 * 2) Double-click My Computer, double-click Control Panel, and then double-click Network and Dial-Up Connections.
 * 3) Double-click the network connection you want to modify, and then click Properties.
 * 4) On the General tab in the Components checked are used by this connection area, locate File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. If it is not listed, install it by clicking the Install button and then double-clicking Service.
 * 5) Make sure that the check box next to File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is selected. This setting makes shared resources available on the network.



MORE INFORMATION
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is equivalent to the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Server service. If you do not want to share resources on a connection, disable this option in the properties of the connection. Windows 2000 Active Directory requires that File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is enabled on domain controllers for fundamental tasks such as propagation of the SYSVOL share by using the File Replication Service.

For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

254527 Browse list problems when file and print sharing not installed

102908 How to troubleshoot TCP/IP connectivity with Windows NT

Additional query words: connect unable

Keywords: kberrmsg kbnetwork kbprb KB259878

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