System error 53 or 51 when attempting to gain access to Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 shared resources (259878)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
This article was previously published under Q259878

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to gain access to shared resources on a Windows 2000-based computer or a Windows Server 2003-based computer over the network (for example, using the net view or net use command), you may receive one of the following error messages:
System error 53 has occurred. The network path was not found.

System error 51 has occurred. The remote computer is not available.
When you try to view the Properties of a Windows 2000 Clinet on a NT4.0 Domain Controller, in Server Manger, you receive the following error:
The remote computer is not available. net use * \\server\share System error 53 has occurred. The network path was not found. Start, run \\Server\share
You cannot see any networks in Network Neighborhood.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is uninstalled or the check box for this service is cleared in the properties of the associated network connection(s).

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, make sure File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is installed and enabled:
  1. Log on to the computer with Administrator privileges.
  2. Double-click My Computer.
  3. Double-click Control Panel.
  4. Double-click Network and Dial-Up Connections.
  5. Double-click the network connection you want to modify, and then click Properties.
  6. On the General tab in the Components checked are used by this connection area, you should see File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. If it is not listed, you can install it by clicking the Install button and then double-clicking Service.
  7. Verify that the check box next to File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is selected. This allows shared resources to be 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 any given connection, disable this option in the properties of the connection (as described in the previous steps). 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 through 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

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:3/14/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbnetwork kbprb KB259878
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