Start | Programs | Crash

[pointd]

Windows 98 SE with full updates. Click start, move the cursor over Programs and the system freezes. No mouse movement, no keyboard only a hard reset. Programs seem to run ok when run from the desktop.

These systems all log on to Novell 5.0 servers and the Programs list is from a mapped drive. Network communications seem fine as the logon scripts and Internet work fine.

Any suggestion?

Thanks in advance.

[GaryRouth]

I couldn't find an exact match for your problem, but there was a MSKB article with what might be a ballpark solution. Seems to have to do with "redirecting" vxds, that help the MS Client get along with Novell when Novell is sent something it doesn't expect.

They mention calling MS for the fee, but it looks like most of the time a newer version of the file Nwredir.vxd works out.

Here's the not-so-exact a match (there is another for older systems that mentions slowness and hangs from the Program Menu, but it mostly concerns earlier Windows versions)

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q242194

And here's the other link, just in case it hold clues:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q243958

I don't have any hands-on Novell experience, it's all from books....we use DECnet and such at the lab. Hope your problem is an easy one to fix.
. . . Gary

[pointd]

Thanks for the links Gary but unfortunately the first refers to the Microsoft Client for Netware and we use the Novell Client which works fine on the rest of our machines (including some which are identical to the problem machines and work Ok) and we have the latest client from Novell which nullifies the second link.

I have also tried the ENUM trick to see if this was some kind of driver issue but no luck.

Thanks for trying and if you have any further suggestions please let me know

[jamesrpm]

I was having the same problem with a P200 box , finally wiped it and started new. Cured the problem , but no clue as to what was causing it except it's software related.

[GaryRouth]

Is there an easy way to reinstall the Novell without disrupting your coworkers much? Seems like it would be a file/configuration sort of thing. Best of luck.

. . . Gary

[pointd]

Yes, it's easy enough to reinstall the client and it must be worth a go. Someone at Novell also suggested removing TCP/IP and just using IPX.

As for wiping and starting again, yes it's an option but it kinda goes against the grain. I would rather find a solution to a problem and learn something along the way. IMHO too many people are too quick to just blank their disk and start again.

Thanks for the comments

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

Just took a look over at the Novell support site: I don't know if I've ever seen so much information in my life. I was getting dizzy.

Another alternative would be to try some Service packs for the Novell . . . I noticed that there were quite a few. The list of fixes goes on and on for each Pak. At the end of the latest one, though, was an interesting little note about Directory Services not hanging when recieving invalid length requests anymore after installing the Service Pak . . .
. . . Gary

[pointd]

I'll look into that tomorrow and let you know how I get on.

Thanks for your time.

[pointd]

I redownloaded and installed the latest Novell client - No luck

Tried IPX only - No luck

Tried TCP/IP only - No luck

Ran out of time, gave up and blanked the hard disk - Success

Thanks for all your suggestions

PointD