F.A.Q.       ... frequently asked questions ... Questions > Answers
F.A.Q._ID= 4

Can't connect to server. What can I do? (generally information)

First we must clarify some general points before we can answer spezial points (error numbers):

How old is your Public ShareFolder installation / version? If you are not sure to have the actual version, please use the newest version.

Do you have Windows® XP Home installed?
If yes, please deactivate the Firewall (only as test) and test again the connection.

If you use a Windows Home computer as "Public ShareFolder server please have a look on the FAQ No. 73:
"Public ShareFolder 1.4 on Windows XP Home / Vista Basic. How to configure the clients to avoid access denied?"


Do you have Norton Antivirus 2005, 2006 or 2007 installed?
If yes, please deactivate the „Worm protection“ (EPMAP settings). This Worm protection disable the Windows® DCOM Network protocoll, which is necessary for Public ShareFolder. Reboot the computer and test the connection again.

A detailed description for the settings in Norton Antivirus 2005: Download description for NAV 2005

For NAV 2006, 2007 please use the same PDF file, because the settings are the same for NAV 2005, NAV 2006 and NAV 2007.

Do you have Norton Internet Security 2006 or 2007 installed?
A detailed description for the configuration of Norton Internet Security 2007.


Do you have Zone Alarm installed?
Zone Alarm is a client application and blocks the DCOM network protocoll, which is necessary for Windows® network sharing programs.

You must change some settings to unblock the ports of Microsoft DCOM protocoll: Download description ZoneAlarm


Have you installed AVG 8 Internet Security?

You find instructions how to configure the AVG 8 firewall in following PDF file: AVG8_Internet_Security_EN.pdf

Do you have Windows® XPprof. installed?
Implement please the “network test routine” of Windows® XP and examine possible error messages.

Please test the network connection with the “Ping” COMMAND:
Start/Run and type CMD. In this DOS Windows® type in “PING name of the serve/client”

Is a "ping" from the client to the server successful? (Use the name of the server and not the IP address)
Is a "ping" from the server to the client successful? (Use the name of the client and not the IP address)
Is the IP-address correkt, which the ping returns?

More information about the ping command: http://www.aaroncity.com/text/ping.htm

Check your Outlook® profiles:
Please check in the Control Panel under “Mail” (doubleclick) /Profiles: Do you have installed more than one profile? If you have more than one profile installed, delete no more necessary profiles.

Use of copied PST files:
Is the PST of the server Outlook® the copy of a PST of a Clients? Is it not a new PST file, but the file copy of a Client Outlook®? Please do not use Public ShareFolder with copies of PST files. Please test it again with new created profiles and PST files. If a PST file is curropted or demaged, Public ShareFolder can not repair this, and you wouldn’t get a shared connection with a damaged PST file or with a copy of a PST file.

New register of the "Mapi (Outlook®) interface":
This registration is only possible if no application accesses the Mapi interface. Terminate please first all Mapi (Outlook®) applications like: Outlook®, Public ShareFolder, Word, Excel® etc.

If you are not sure, which programs are using the MAPI interface you can also logoff from your PC, login with your normal account and start the fixmapi.exe:
Search on your local harddisk for "Fixmapi.exe" (C:\Windows\... or C:\WINNT\...) and start it with a doubleclick.

You wouldn't get any feedback. In the background the Mapi interface is new registered. Reboot the computer and check the connection again.

Maybe your PST file is damaged.
Please search for "scanpst.exe" on your local PC. Start this program and select your PST to check the PST file.

Information: Please make a copy of your PST file (Backup) before you start the "scanpst.exe" program.
Further information abbout "How to repair a damage PST file":
http://www.slipstick.com/problems/scanpst.htm

Maybe your Outlook® Profil is damaged.

1. (Only for the Client): Remove Public ShareFolder from the Outlook® services (Datafiles). You do not have to deinstall Public ShareFolder, only remove it from the Outlook® services.

Outlook® 98 - Outlook® 2000: Tools/Services: Remove Public ShareFolder.
Outlook® 2002 - Outlook® 2003: File/Datafile management: Remove Public ShareFolder.

2. Close Outlook®.

3. (Client and Server): Open the „Control Panel“ / doubleclick on "Mail.

You will find the Button „Show Profiles“. Please delete all profiles and create a new Outlook® profile. (Your items like contacts, calendars, emails etc. were not deleted because they are stored in a separate PST file)

You will need your email account information, so please be sure that you have this account and password informtion before you delete the Outlook® profile.

Further informatio about “How to create an Outlook® profile“ you will find in the Microsoft® Knowledge Base...

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=195718
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=287072

4. Start please the Public ShareFolder server again and add again (on the Client) the Outlook® service „Public ShareFolder“ and check again the connection




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