Connecting to Printer Causes "Port Name is Invalid" Error

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOM

When trying to connect to a printer shared by a Windows for Workgroups or Windows 95 computer, one of the following errors may appear when you enter the network path or port name:

   \\servername\sharename is an invalid port name

   -or-

   Could not connect to the printer: The system cannot find the
   file specified

   -or-

   "Test Page failed to print. Would you like to view the print trouble
   shooter for assistance? The filename, directory name, or volume label
   syntax is incorrect."

CAUSE

These messages are erroneous and occur if the Windows for Workgroups or Windows 95 printer share is password protected. If you attempt to connect to the share by doing a NET USE from the command line, you receive this (correct) message:

   The password is invalid for \\servername\sharename

RESOLUTION

Try one of these procedures:

1. Remove the password protection from the WFWG or Win95 printer share.

2. Make a connection to the share using the command prompt, entering the correct password using the following syntax:

         NET USE LPTx \\computernamne\printername [password]
   

   Next, using Print Manager or the Printers folder, create a new printer using the redirected LPT port.

   invalid port name

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.