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.
RESOLUTION
To work around this behavior, use one of the following methods:
- Disable APM.
- Restart your computer.
To disable APM, follow these steps:
- Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
- Double-click System, click the Device Manager tab, and then double-click the System Devices branch to expand it.
- On the General tab under Device usage, click to clear the "Disable in this hardware profile" check box.