Help please! Error - The local device name is already in use.

[ddeder]

This problem has me stumped.

I have a network of five computers - three running Windows 98 SE, one running Windows XP Home and one running Windows XP Pro. These computers are connected to a server running Windows 2000 Server. There is a domain and the computers are all joined. The router is a $50 D-Link 4 port router which is linked to a $50 Connectgear 4 port switch. We have DSL.

The computer running Windows XP Pro keeps having problems accessing the shared user folder on the server. It will work for awhile after initially logging on but then suddenly lose the connection giving the error: The local device name is already in use. At this point, I need to log off and then back on to reconnect. I have tried a different cable and a different port on the router with the same results. This does not appear to be a problem with the cable or router - besides, even after I get this message, the DSL connection still works just fine on this computer. None of the other computers on the network have this problem.

Any idea what could possibly cause this computer to keep losing it's connection to the server?

Thanks.

 

[ddeder]

Bump.

I found that by logging out of the server and back in, the connection to the server is re-established. But then severla hours later is is lost again.

I replaced the cheapie router and switch with a SonicWall TELE3 and a 3com 12 port hub. The problem with the Windows XP Pro machine still exists. I think it has to be a software problem somewhere... Is there a setting on the server somewhere that might control how long a connection can be held before it is disconnected? Could it be a licensing issue? I have 10 licenses and there are only 5 computers on the network.

Please help!

 

[wlee]

You might want to check that the computers are not are not going into sleep mode when not used for a while. Check your power management settings.