Extended Error 53 When Accessing Network Drives from MS-DOS (108479)

CAUSE

This error message occurs because the real-mode network, when running Novell NetWare connectivity, cannot load the same protocols that load in 386 enhanced mode Windows for Workgroups 3.11. Because the real-mode network is using the IPX or IPXODI driver to communicate with the network adapter, it cannot load the NDIS2 or NDIS3 protocols. However, it does allow communication with any Windows for Workgroups 3.11 server running the IPX/SPX Compatible Transport or IPX/SPX Compatible Transport with NetBIOS on the network.

It is not possible to access a Windows for Workgroups 3.1 server because it cannot use the IPX/SPX compatible protocol. Communication with a Windows NT server is also not possible because the real-mode network does not provide the NetBIOS interface necessary to communicate with the Windows NT IPX/SPX Compatible Transport.

If persistent connections are stored in Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and ghosted connections are enabled, starting the real-mode network in MS-DOS will seem to connect machines not running the IPX/SPX compatible protocol, including Windows for Workgroups 3.1 and Windows NT servers. However, if you try to access files or printers on these servers, you receive the error message "Extended Error 53." This occurs because ghosted connections have been enabled in Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and therefore no attempt is made to connect to the server when the real-mode network is first started.