windows xp - "Network path was not found" when trying to access a file share

This is for a Windows XP SP3 machine, trying to access file shares on a Windows Server 2008 R2 system.

The client had access to the server previously, and other clients on the same network are not having problems. Other network functions for the troubled client do not seem to be affected.

When trying to access a file share via \\servername\sharename\ or \\IPAddress\sharename\ the following error is returned: "The network path was not found". This also happens when trying to access the server by running \\servername\ or \\IPAddress\. However, the server pings fine by name and IP from the same machine.

Windows Firewall is off, and the user does have appropriate permissions. The IP configuration, including address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS server, are correct. The system has been rebooted several times during troubleshooting.

What am I missing?

Answer

Though there may be other possible causes for this issue, this particular case was due to Client for Microsoft Networks being un-installed. Also of note is that the Computer Browser service was not registered.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. 
   

   Run services.msc and look for the "Computer Browser" service. This should be somewhere between the "COM+" services, and "Cryptographic Service".

   
   
   
   
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     If the "Computer Browser" service is not present, you probably need to re-install Client for Microsoft Networks. Proceed to step 2. If the service is present, follow the rest of the bullets in this step, and skip the remaining steps.

     
     
   
   
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     If the "Computer Browser" service's Startup Type is Disabled or Manual, open the Properties page and change it to Automatic.

     
     
   
   
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     If the "Computer Browser" service is stopped, start it.

     
     
   
   
   
   


2. 
   

   Open the Properties page of your network connection. In the list that says "This connection uses the following items:" check for "Client for Microsoft Networks".

   
   
   
   
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     If "Client for Microsoft Networks" is present, verify the "Computer Browser" service's settings, per the last two bullets of step 1. If those settings are correct, and a reboot does not solve the problem, there's a different issue at hand.

     
     
   
   
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     If "Client for Microsoft Networks" is not present, proceed to step 3.

     
     
   
   
   
   


3. 
   

   Reinstall "Client for Microsoft Networks".

   
   
   
   
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     In the Properties page of your network connection, below the list marked "This connection uses the following items:", click "Install...".

     
     
   
   
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     In the "Select Network Component Type" dialog, select "Client", then click "Add...".

     
     
   
   
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     In the "Select Network Client" dialog, select "Client for Microsoft Networks", then click "OK.

     
     
   
   
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     In the Connection Properties dialog, click OK.

     
     
   
   
   
   


4. 
   

   Reboot the computer.