As a computer technician I've recently had to restore an NT 4.0 Server after
a hard drive crash. Unfortunately, there was no viable backup as the
original installer did not verify that backups were being created. And
apparently the installer also sold them an NFR (Not For Resale) version of
NT. The only thing I know about the original install was that it was
working properly before the HD failure.
 
About every 2 or 3 days, users have trouble connecting to the apps on the
server and sometimes will lose mapped drives. Rebooting the server resolves
the issue.
 
In the event viewer application log I see:
"No license was available for user CPHC\user using product SMBServer 4.0. "
 
These errors seem to correlate to the times that the user had trouble
connecting.
 
From what I understand, the NFR version is limited to 5 users, which is okay
for this business as they have exactly 5 users, however, now that I think
about it, I'm not sure how many users I've set up in the user manager, 6 I
think, 5 users and an account for administrator. ( or even if this will make
a difference)
 
I first had assigned each machine an IP address, opting to not use DHCP on
the server. Then at the suggestion of someone, installed DHCP, but still no
resolution to the problem.
 
So then I limited the DHCP scope to 5 IP addresses, still having problems.
The scope was set to 15 available addresses, so I reserved enough to leave
only 5 available. (Should I have recreated the scope for only 5?)
 
Since the server is NFR, I am unable to get into the license manager to
change any settings there.
 
I am considering recommending that the business purchase a retail version of
NT 4.0 Server, but am not sure if that is the resolution.
 
Many thanks!
 
Lee