Error message when you try to access a network drive that is mapped to a DFS shared folder on a client computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008: "Error: Location is not available"

Consider the following scenario in a network environment:

• A domain-based Distributed File System (DFS) root is hosted by multiple domain controllers.
• A DFS shared folder is linked to a network share that resides on another server.
• On a client computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008, you map a network drive to the DFS shared folder.
• The domain controller to which the client computer is connected goes offline.
• You restart the client computer.

In this scenario, it takes a long time to log on to the client computer after it restarts. After you log on to the client computer, you try to access the mapped network drive. However, you cannot access the drive, even though the other domain controllers and the server that hosts the network share are available. Additionally, you receive following error message:

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2008 installed.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information note

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately . MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about DFS, visit the following Microsoft Web sites: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Additional file information for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008