SBS2000: Add Pack disk cannot be applied because your network adapter is inaccessible (300892)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Small Business Server 2000

This article was previously published under Q300892
Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you try to apply a new Small Business Server (SBS) 2000 Client Add Pack to an SBS 2000-based server, you may receive the following error message:
The Microsoft Small Business Server Client Add Pack disk cannot be applied because your network adapter is inaccessible.

CAUSE

This problem may occur for one or more of the following reasons:
  • One or more network adapters are disabled.
  • The Client Add Pack was installed before and cannot verify the MAC address on the network adapter.
  • You have networking protocols other than TCP/IP installed. For example, you may be running NetBEUI or a network interface card (NIC) teaming protocol.
  • SBS 2000 Client Add Pack disks have been applied to the Small Business Server 2000-based server, and hardware changes were made to the server after the application of the Client Add Pack disks.

RESOLUTION


To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
  1. Use Device Manager to verify that all network adapters are enabled. If your network adapters are enabled, go to step 2. If one or more of your network adapters are disabled, enable them, and then try to apply the Add Pack disk again. To enable the network adapters:
    1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
    2. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.
    3. Double-click the Network Adapters branch to view a list of your network adapters.
    4. Disabled network adapters appear with a red "X" next to them. Right-click a disabled network adapter, and then click Enable. Repeat this process until all your network adapters are enabled. After you do so, try to apply the SBS 2000 Client Add Pack disk again.
  2. If your network adapters are enabled, and you continue to receive the error, try to install the Microsoft Loopback Adapter. To install the Loopback Adapter:
    1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
    2. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Hardware.
    3. On the wizard's Welcome page, click Next.
    4. Under Choose a Hardware Task, click Add/Troubleshoot a device, and then click Next.
    5. Under Choose a Hardware Device, click Add a new device, and then click Next.
    6. Under Find New Hardware, click No, I want to select the hardware from a list, and then click Next.
    7. Under Hardware Type, click Network adapters, and then click Next.
    8. Under Select Network Adapter, click Microsoft for the manufacturer, click Microsoft Loopback Adapter for the network adapter, and then click Next.
    9. Click Next to start the hardware installation.
    10. Click Finish to complete the installation. After you do so, try again to install the Client Add Pack.
  3. If you continue to receive the error after you install the Loopback Adapter, try to remove all networking protocols other than TCP/IP. To remove networking protocols:
    1. Right-click My Network Places, and then click Properties.
    2. Right-click the icon for your local area connection, and then click Properties.
    3. On the General tab, select any protocol besides TCP/IP that appears in the components list, and then click Uninstall. For example, if NetBEUI Protocol or a NIC teaming protocol, such as Compaq NIC Teaming, appears in the list of installed components, uninstall them. After you do so, try again to install the Client Add Pack.
  4. If you continue to receive the error after you remove all networking protocols other than TCP/IP, follow these steps.

    Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
    1. Start the Small Business Server Administrator console, click the About page, and then record the number of installed licenses.
    2. Start Registry Editor, and then locate the following registry subkey:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\BackOffice

      Export the LicenseLimit value if it exists, and then delete that value. The LicenseLimit value is present only if an SBS 2000 Add Pack disk has been applied previously.
    3. Insert the last successfully applied Add Pack in the floppy drive.

      Important Do not use new Add Packs.

    4. Click the add licenses link on the About page. Click Cancel to continue with the Add Pack Setup process when you receive the following error message:
      Cannot find correct MAC address; please enable all network cards and then click OK. If the network cards are already enabled, click Cancel.
    5. When you receive information about the Add Pack and instructions to call Microsoft, call Microsoft Product Support Services (PSS) at (800) 936-4900 to obtain a password for the Add Pack.

      Type the password, and then click OK to reinstall the last applied Add Pack and to be prompted to add new Add Packs. Stay at that screen until you are able to apply the password. If you do not wait, you must run the Add Pack Setup again. After you finish these steps, you can apply new client Add Packs to the Small Business Server computer.

STATUS

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

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:3/11/2004
Keywords:kbbug kbenv kberrmsg kbfix kbHardware kbsetup KB300892