DFS failover does not occur when a client computer that is running Windows Vista tries to connect to a DFS root server that is unavailable, and you receive an error message: "System error 1214 has occurred"

If a domain's Distributed File System (DFS) root server is unavailable, a client computer that is running Windows Vista cannot connect to another DFS server that is listed in the referral when the client computer tries to connect to the DFS root server. DFS failover does not occur. When the client computer tries to connect to the offline DFS server, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

This problem occurs because the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) layer returns an incorrect code. This code does not trigger a DFS failover in the DFS client engine.

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Vista. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Update information

Windows Vista

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B729A48F-19F3-4394-A788-E60F837FF3F4 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B729A48F-19F3-4394-A788-E60F837FF3F4)

Windows Vista x64-based System

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C2C9623A-23B9-47DB-ADE3-26B78BF1E1FB (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C2C9623A-23B9-47DB-ADE3-26B78BF1E1FB)

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, 32-bit versions

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

A similar problem may occur when you use offline file synchronization in Windows Vista. When you access offline files on a client computer that is not connected to the DFS root server, you receive an error message that resembles the following:For more information about the terms that are used to describe software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: