Cannot Reestablish a Network Connection to Programs Using NetDDE

ID: Q182520

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

If you run a network client program that connects to a network server program and your computer then suspends itself, the network client program may be unable to connect to the network server program again.

For example, if Microsoft Hearts runs on another computer, you play the game across a network connection, and your computer is suspended by Advanced Power Management (APM), Hearts generates the following error message when your computer resumes:

The dealer has left the game. Hearts will end.

When you click OK, restart Hearts, and choose to connect to the game on the other computer, you receive the following error message:
Unable to connect to the dealer. Hearts will end.

If you restart your computer, you are able to connect to the Hearts game across the network.

Hearts is a Network Dynamic Data Exchange (NetDDE) program.

This same behavior may also occur if you run a NetDDE program across a network connection using a PC card network adapter, stop the PC card service, remove the network adapter, and then insert the network adapter again.


CAUSE

This problem can occur because NetDDE was not designed to communicate with APM services.


RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, use one of the following methods:

To disable APM, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click System, double-click System Devices, and then double-click Advanced Power Management Support.


  3. On the General tab, click to clear the Disable In All Profiles check box.



MORE INFORMATION

Programs that provide services to other programs across a network connection are known as network server programs. Programs that request services from network server programs are known as network client programs.

Additional query words: unable see view 


Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 2, 1999