Cannot Reach FTP Sites by Using FQDN (303366)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 2000
This article was previously published under Q303366
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 attempt to connect to a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) site by typing its Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) in the Microsoft Internet Explorer Address bar, you may receive the following error message:
Microsoft Internet Explorer error. Connection timed out.
Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site Web address. The operation timed out.
However, if you use the IP address of the FTP site (for example, ftp://192.168.88.8), instead of its FQDN (for example, ftp://ftp.domainname.com), you can connect to the FTP site.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur when you access the Internet through certain CERN-compliant proxy servers. The FTP Folder interface of Internet Explorer is incompatible with some CERN-based proxy servers.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, turn off the FTP Folders feature in Internet Explorer. To do this, 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 Internet Explorer.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the Advanced tab.
  3. Under Browsing in the Settings box, click to clear the Enable folder view for FTP sites check box, and then click OK.
  4. Quit Internet Explorer.
  5. Unregister the Msieftp.dll file. To do this, follow these steps:
    1. On the Start menu, click Run.
    2. In the Open box, type the command line appropriate for your operating system, and then click OK. If you are running Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, or Windows 98 Second Edition, type:

      regsvr32.exe /u C:\Windows\System\msieftp.dll

      If you are running Microsoft Windows NT, type:

      regsvr32.exe /u C:\Winnt\System32\msieftp.dll

  6. Click OK to the DllUnregisterServer in path\msieftp.dll succeeded message.
  7. Restart your computer.
NOTE: When FTP Folder functionality in Internet Explorer 5.x is turned off, Internet Explorer 5 uses the FTP features of Internet Explorer 4.x.

MORE INFORMATION

FTP Folders is a shell extension in Internet Explorer 5.x that lets you browse FTP Web sites in Windows Explorer or Internet Explorer by using an Internet Explorer-style folder-based interface. For additional information about FTP Folders in Internet Explorer, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

217888 How to Install and Use FTP Folders

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/5/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbnetwork kbprb KB303366
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