Equisys technical notes

Technical guidance, explanations and fixes for our products

PRB: "Unable to map alternative spool area" error

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ZTN1096

ID: ZTN1096

This Zetafax technical note applies to:

  • Zetafax 6.01 and later.
  • Citrix WinFrame 1.8.
  • Microsoft NT Terminal server 4.0 (including the Citrix MetaFrame 1.8 add-on).

Symptom

When attempting to launch the Zetafax client for the first time in a thin client session, you may get the following error message: "Unable to map alternative spool area". The client then loads as usual and functions correctly.

Cause

When starting up in a thin client session, the Zetafax client automatically SUBST's the Zetafax user's area for the spool files created when the user prints to the Zetafax FaxMerge Printer. It then checks the mapping to ensure it is valid. On some systems, the client checks the validity of the mapping before the SUBST is complete, thus triggering the error message. However, once the drive mapping completes, the client is able to function normally.

Resolution

Although this error is spurious, it does not prevent the Zetafax client from working correctly. You may suppress it by forcing the SUBST to take place at start up. To do this, add a SUBST command to the users' logon scripts. (e.g. SUBST Z: \\server_name\zfax\users\user_name). You will find further information on the SUBST commands by typing SUBST /? at the command line.

Status

This has been identified by Equisys as a problem with the software versions given above.

Last updated: 30 November 2000 (ET/DH)

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