Cannot see the NT server

[ShayneK]

First of all I apologize if you feel this should be in a different forum but I though I would start here first.

Problem:
One of the Windows 98 workstations keeps having a problem connecting to the NT server. His internet is working just fine. His computer had this problem about 2 months ago and at the time it was easier to just replace the computer with a extra one that was on the floor. After we replaced it everything worked fine until now. The only reason he really needs to connect to the NT server is for Outlook to retrieve his email. He keeps getting the request timed out error, and is prompted to work offline. He has no problem seeing the other server or any other network device. No changes have been made to the network in a very long time.

Setup:
Small 8 user network. One Windows NT 4.0 server running MS Exchange only. One Novell 5.0 server for file and printing running IPX protocol. Each workstation has Novell Client and Microsoft Client loaded. All network wire is Cat5 plugged into 10Mbs hub (they didn't want to spend the money for a 100Mbs hub) All computers are setup exactly the same and no one else is having this problem. They also have a fractional T1 with a firewall setup as their default gateway. DNS service is provided by the ISP.

Troubleshooting:
- Cannot ping server ip address
- Cannot ping server name, but internet works fine
- Did a tracert to make sure it wasn't trying to go
through the firewall. It doesn't, it tries to go
directly to the server.
- He CAN ping any of the other computers on the network
- Replaced patch cable from the Wall to the Computer
- Replaced patch cable from the panel to the hub
- Uninstalled and reinstalled all network devices under
network properties.
- Tried loggin in as Admin (I knew that wouldn't make a
difference)
- I was going to add the entry to the HOSTS file but if
he can't ping the server either way I didn't think
that would make a difference. So I skipped it.

Any other suggestions?!?!?!? I'm running out of ideas!!

Thanks in Advance,
Shayne Kolata

 

[ShayneK]

Update:
I removed the Exchange server setting under Mail in the control panel, and reinstalled it. Instead of using the server name I used the IP address. I really didn't think this would make a difference but behold the workstation can now see the NT server. I don't see any reason why changing the setting would have any effect if the workstation can and cannot even ping the server.

I still do not have any explination of why this happened or if it will continue to work without a problem. If you have any suggestions that could help I would still greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Shayne
"Things that make you go HUUUMMMMM"

 

[welshguy]

Shayne,

Looks like a few problems here - mostly IP related.

Check you're IP configuration ipconfig /all
you should check your
default gateway,
IP address/subnet mask - this could be a reason why you can't ping your server - check against existing client on the same subnet.

You don't appear to have any way of resolving names on your internal network - either need internal DNS or WINS server.
Or as you have suggested hard code IP address in hosts file.

The last post is a bit confusing - I can understand that by putting IP address on mail client you're getting around name resolution problem but you then you should have been able to ping server.

As you say Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[vktraam]

Hi !!
add Netbeui protocol and check, it might work, i hope the name resolution is seems to be problem

i hope adding Netbeui will work


Thanks
Vktraam@yahoo.com

 

[ShayneK]

vktraam,

Thanks - I will try that this evening when I go to the site.

Here is some more information that I hope will also help incase adding Netbeui doesn't.

- 9 out of 10 times if we start his computer first in the morning before any other workstation he has no problems.

- When he does have a problem it starts when he tires to login. It prompts him for his username and password and will not take any user name or password that you type in. It finally comes up with Unable to login to domain.

- Since he is not connected to the NT side of the network he cannot open up MS Outlook which connects to the local MS Exchange server. But if I go into the Mail setting under the control panel and remove and add the MS Exchange server everything starts working for the rest of the time his computer is on.

I'm still woundering if this is a Hardware issue or a Software issue? This evening I will be going out to the site and move the computer to a different office to check if it is the line. Also replace the NIC and Hub. I'm still stuck on the hardware issue because his first computer he had started doing the same thing this one is. I redo the computer from scratch, reinstall everything, he uses it for approx 2 months then one day out of the blue this starts happening. This is the second time this has happened.

There is only one thing I am sure about - This problem is starting to drive me crazy!!

Thanks,
Shayne