Error Message When You Log On to Windows 2000 Using IPX

When you attempt to log on to a Windows 2000 domain or a mixed Windows 2000\Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 domain, you may receive the following error message: This problem may be intermittent in a mixed environment (Windows 2000/Windows NT 4.0), because Windows NT 4.0 does not exhibit this problem.

To resolve this behavior, use either of the following methods:

• Use another protocol instead of IPX.
• Add NetBIOS support to the IPX protocol on the Microsoft Windows 95\98 client, and disable direct hosting.

How to Disable Direct Hosting

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To disable direct hosting in Windows 95\98, use the following steps:

1. Start Registry Editor (click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK).
2. Locate the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Vxd
3. Click VNETSUP.
4. On the Edit menu, click New, and then click String Value. A new value is displayed in the right-hand pane.
5. If necessary, right-click the new item, click Rename, type directhost, and then press ENTER.
6. Right-click DirectHost, and then click Modify. The Edit String dialog box is displayed.
7. Type 0, and then click OK.
8. Quit Registry Editor.

NOTE: Restart Windows 95\98 for the changes to take effect.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows 2000.