Error 41 on Windows XP in a
Peer-to-peer environment 
File sharing issue

Creation Date :       September 18, 2002
Program :               POWER BROKER for Windows

SUMMARY OF PROBLEM

It has recently been reported that when running a peer-to-peer network (no dedicated server) where operating system of main station is earlier than Windows XP with one or more remote running Windows XP; the XP station(s) will experience error 41 in Power Broker.  In these instances any remote running older operating systems (WIN95 or WIN98) will not experience the error 41.  We have determined this problem to be caused by improper file sharing between Windows 95, or Windows 98 server, and the Windows XP remote station.

Quoting Microsoft Knowledge Base Article Q318030 – “On Windows XP based computers that are configured as members of a workgroup in a peer-to-peer network environment, you may experience one or more of the following behaviors:

1.      You cannot access shared folders or files,

2.      You cannot browse other computers in the workgroup,

3.      You receive the following error message when you double-click the workgroup in My Network Places:

Workgroup Name is not accessible.  You may not have permission to use this network resource.

 

It is behavior #1 that causes the error 41 in Power Broker.

Also refer to Microsoft Article Q304040 for information on “Description of File Sharing and Permissions in Windows XP”.


POWER BROKER RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS
 

1. Make the Windows XP computer (or most current operating system) the server, using older operating systems as remotes, or
2. Update all workstations on the peer-to-peer network to highest level operating system incorporated in the network – all Windows XP, or
3. Install a Windows NT or Windows 2000 dedicated server.

To read more about this topic, please visit this link from Microsoft.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q318030