Trying to Connect by Using DUN After Installing PPTP Generates Error Message About TCP/IP Error 2 (287395)

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

After you install Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) on a computer that is running Windows NT Workstation or Server 4.0, you may receive the following error message when you try to connect by using dial-up networking (DUN):

TCP/IP Reported Error 2 : Could Not Find File Specified

The error message appears when the Registering Your Computer on the Network dialog box appears. In addition, the Network tool in Control Panel lists a nonexistent network adapter, Ncpa.cpl, that has a numeric value, for example 10.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, delete the nonexistent network adapter from the registry:
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
Locate and click the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkCards
Locate and delete the empty folder that bears the name of the nonexistent network adapter, Ncpa.cpl.
Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

169116 Troubleshooting TCP/IP CP Error 2 ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND