Net Start Fails When TCP/IP is the Only Protocol (114839)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11
  • Microsoft TCP/IP 1.0a
This article was previously published under Q114839

SYMPTOMS

When you use TCP/IP as the only network protocol on a Windows for Workgroups 3.11 network installation (using the SETUP /N command), upon starting the computer, when the NET START command is started and after seeing the banner for the TCP/IP driver successful load you may receive the following message:
ERROR 7361: IPX or NetBIOS must be running in order to load the network services.

CAUSE

When you install Windows for Workgroups 3.11 in network mode, network functionality is enabled by default so that the real mode full redirector loads and the following lines are added : 
   AUTOEXEC.BAT :

   NET START

   SYSTEM.INI / [Network]:

   AutoStart=FULL
The TCP/IP protocol needs to load several modules (UMB, TCPTSR, TINYRFC, NMTSR.EXE, EMSBFR.EXE) after the NDIS2 protocol binding and before the redirector load, and thus the error message.

WORKAROUND

Edit AUTOEXEC.BAT and replace the line 
   NET START
with: 
   NET START NETBIND
After the lines that load other modules needed by TCP/IP (UMB, TCPTSR, TINYRFC, NMTSR.EXE, EMSBFR.EXE) add one of the following lines: 
   NET START WORKSTATION
-or- 
   NET LOGON
This will correct the binding sequence of both TCP/IP and the redirector. You may also delete the Autostart=FULL line in SYSTEM.INI and adding a NET START WORKSTATION line after all TCP/IP components have loaded but this has the disadvantage that any further modification using the Network Setup applet will reinsert the AutoStart=FULL line in SYSTEM.INI, thus reenabling the error condition. On the contrary NET START NETBIND is not modified by the Network Setup Applet.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows for Workgroups version 3.11. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2003
Keywords:KB114839
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.