Microsoft KB Archive/918208

= Internet Explorer cannot access FTP servers on the Internet from a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer =

Article ID: 918208

Article Last Modified on 8/29/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario:
 * You use Microsoft Internet Explorer to access a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server on a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based client computer.
 * Internet Explorer is configured to use FTP folders. (The Enable folder view for FTP sites default setting is turned on in Internet Explorer.)
 * You configure Internet Explorer to use a proxy server for FTP connections. You expect Internet Explorer to use the proxy server for FTP connections.
 * Name resolution for the target FTP server occurs on the client computer.
 * You configure the router to reject direct FTP connections on the Internet. In this configuration, the router sends back a &quot;TCP RESET&quot; message when the client computer requests a connection to an FTP server on the Internet.

In this scenario, Internet Explorer cannot access FTP servers on the Internet. Additionally, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

Windows cannot access this folder. Make sure you typed the file name correctly and that you have permission to access the folder.

Note Access to FTP servers on the intranet works as expected.



CAUSE
When Internet Explorer is configured to use FTP folders, Internet Explorer tries to connect to an FTP server if the FTP server name can be resolved. If the direct connection to the FTP server cannot be established because of a time-out issue, Internet Explorer uses the proxy server. However, Internet Explorer does not use the proxy server if a direct connection to the FTP server is unsuccessful.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, turn off the Enable folder view for FTP sites setting in Internet Explorer. This prevents Internet Explorer from establishing a direct FTP connection to the target server. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, click Run, type iexplore.exe, and then click OK.
 * 2) On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
 * 3) Click the Advanced tab, and then click to clear the Enable folder view for FTP sites check box.
 * 4) Click Apply, and then click OK.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbbug kbfix kbqfe kbpubtypekc kbwinxppresp3fix kbwinxpsp3fix KB918208

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