Printing to NetWare Deallocates Directory Handle (149643)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
This article was previously published under Q149643 SYMPTOMS
When you print to a Novell NetWare print queue, a directory handle may be
inadvertently deallocated. This may cause the following symptoms (this list
of symptoms is not exhaustive):
- An "Invalid handle" messages appear in File Manager.
- A network application is unable to reconnect to the server without
refreshing the drive.
You can use a network trace to identify the problem.
CAUSE
When the reference count for a Verb Control Block (VCB) becomes zero, the
NetWare redirector (Nwrdr) scavenger thread cleans up the VCB by calling
the NwCleanupVcb() application programming interface (API). NwCleanupVcb()
deallocates the directory handle for every VCB regardless of whether its
Flags information indicates a print queue or drive mapping.
When the last handle is closed, the print queue will have a Reference count
of zero. If a print queue has a Reference Count value of zero and has a
directory handle value that is identical to the handle value of a drive
mapping , then the NetWare redirector deallocates the handle of the drive
mapping erroneously. The Novell server then responds with "Invalid Path" to
subsequent requests referencing the deallocated handle.
RESOLUTION
A fix for this problem is available in the latest Service Pack for Windows
NT 3.51. The fix evaluates the VCB to determine whether it represents a
drive mapping or a print queue. If it is a print queue, it does not enter
the code that deallocates directory handles.
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT versions 3.5 and
3.51. This problem was corrected in the latest U.S. Service Pack for
Windows NT Workstation or Server version 3.51. For information on obtaining
this update, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base
(without the spaces):
Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 12/16/2003 |
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Keywords: | KB149643 |
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