Troubleshooting

Can't Choose Dial-Up Connection at Login

When I choose Log On Using Dial-Up Connection, the connection to the remote network is not an available choice.

When you created the connection, you chose For My Use Only rather than For All Users. Because you're now logged out, you don't have access to the connection. You cannot retroactively share the connection. Log on again; then delete and re-create the connection.

VPN Connection Fails Without Certificate

When I attempt to make a VPN connection, I receive the message Unable to negotiate the encryption you requested without a certificate.

You are trying to connect to a VPN server with a higher level of encryption than your computer or the other computer is configured to carry out.

If you are attempting to contact a Windows 200x VPN server, contact your network administrator to get the appropriate certificate installed. If you are calling a Windows NT 4 VPN server, this error probably occurred because you enabled IPSec on the Options tab of the Advanced Internet Protocol properties. In this case, disable IPSec.

Can't Make File Available Offline

The choice Make File Available Offline doesn't appear when I right-click a file or folder.

To use Offline Folders, you must disable Fast User Switching and enable Offline Folders. See the note in the "Offline Folders" section, earlier in this chapter.

When I mark files or folders for offline use, I receive the error Files of this Type Cannot Be Made Available Offline.

Microsoft has deemed that some file types (for example, Access's .mdb database files) shouldn't be available offline. They assume that these files are in use by multiple LAN users, and there's no way to reconcile changes made by offline and online users. This can help a lot of people avoid database damage, but it's annoying if you really do want to take the file offline. There is a way to get around this if you are sure you won't take offline any files that might be edited by others while you have them.

If you're on a domain network, ask your domain administrator to modify the Group Policy entry Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files\Files not cached.

If you are on a workgroup network, follow these steps:

1.	Log in as a Computer Administrator and start the Microsoft Management Console with Start, Run, mmc.
2.	Choose File, Add/Remove Snap-in, Add.
3.	Highlight Group Policy and click Add.
4.	Leave the Group Policy Object set to Local Computer. Click Finish, Close, and OK.
5.	In the left pane, open Local Computer policy and drill down through Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Network to Offline Files.
6.	In the right pane, double-click Files Not Cached.
7.	Check Enabled, and enter any extensions that should be protected, such as *.dbf. Omit the file types you want to take offline.
8.	Click OK and close the MMC console program.
9.	Log out, and then log back in.

Offline Synchronization Gives Unable to connect to server Error

When I synchronize offline files, I receive the error Unable to connect to '\\server\file'. The specified network name is no longer available.

The indicated server (actually, any computer sharing a folder you are using offline) might really not be functioning. If you are a mobile user, you also might have checked folders for updating that aren't present in your current LAN or dialed-up network. Windows has no way of knowing which servers should be available and which shouldn't. You must select the servers appropriate to your connection.

Offline Files Are Missing

I can't find files or folders I've clearly marked for offline use.

You might not have synchronized after marking the file, its folder, or a containing folder for offline use. The solution is to go back online and synchronize.

Wireless Link Is Not Present in Control Panel

I have an infrared adapter in my desktop [or portable computer], but Wireless Link does not appear in the Control Panel under Printers and Other Hardware.

The IrDA adapter is probably disabled in your computer's BIOS. Shut down and restart your computer. When your BIOS is setting up, press the indicated key to enter its setup utility.

Look at its Built-In Peripherals screen for IrDA options. You must enable IRDA 1.1 support. It might require a DMA and Interrupt port as well, so you might not be able to use infrared and ECP printing at the same time. Save and exit the setup program.

When you restart Windows, it will detect and install support for the infrared connector.

Send Files Icon Doesn't Appear

When another computer with an infrared IRDA port is brought near my computer, the Send Files to Another Computer icon doesn't appear.

In this case, the problem could be with either computer. If one of the two computers can make a wireless link with at least one other computer, then you know the fault lies with the other.

The following are a few points to check:

• Be sure that the wireless optical ports are within a few feet of each other, are pointed relatively directly at each other, with a clear line of sight between them.

• Check the Device Manager on both computers to be sure that both IrDA ports are working correctly.

• Be sure that both computers have wireless file transfers enabled.

• If all else fails, borrow a handheld video camcorder. These cameras can often "see" the infrared light emitted by IrDA ports. Check to see that the ports on both computers are blinking. If you see one blinking but not the other, you know one computer isn't set up correctly.