Network Path Not Found/ An Extended Error Occurred

Problem

Endpoint Central Agent/Distribution server installation, Patch Scan , Asset Scan and Remote Control fail with error message - "Network Path was not found."

Cause

This error will be shown if,

1. The Client computer is down or not accessible
2. "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" is not enabled in the network adapter of the client computers.
3. Microsoft Firewall blocks the process.
4. Third-party Firewall blocks the process.
5. Administrative Share (Admin$) on the client computer might have been disabled.

Resolution

You can resolve this issue as follows:

1. Ensure the client computer is accessible

   Check the client computer is switched on and connected in the network properly to install agent/Distribution server and carry operations like Patch Scan/Remote Control/Asset Scan. Also, ensure that you have specified the computer name correctly. The following steps will help you confirm the client machine's accessibility:

   Goto Start > Run > Type computer name prefixed by "\\" and hit the Enter key

2. Enable "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks"

   Enable this in all the client computers as below to carry out remote operations like Agent or Distribution server Installation/ Patch Scan/ Inventory Scan/ Remote Control in the client machines.
   For computers using Operating System released before Windows 7, follow the steps mentioned below;

   1. Select Start --> Settings --> Network Connections.
   2. Right-click on Network Connection and select Properties.
   3. In the connection properties dialog, select the General tab.
   4. Select the "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" and click OK.
   5. If you do not find this option, click Install button.
   6. In the network component type, select Service and click Add.
   7. Select File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks and click OK.
   8. Click Close to exit the properties dialog

   For computers using Windows 7 as Operating System, follow the steps mentioned below;

   1. Select Start -->Control Panel.
   2. Choose Network and Internet
   3. Select Network and Sharing Center and choose Change Advanced Sharing Settings
   4. Under File and Printer Sharing enable Turn on File and Printer Sharing
   5. Save changes
3. Enable the Administrative Share (Admin$) on the Client Machine

   Endpoint Central application copies the Agent/Distribution server binaries to the Admin$ of the client machine prior to triggering Agent/ Installation. Therefore it is essential to have the Admin$ enabled in the client machines for smooth Agent/Distribution server Installation. You will need to edit the registry to enable the default administrative share.

   For Servers:

   1. Click Start and select Run.
   2. Type regedit in the Run prompt and click OK.
   3. Navigate the following in the Registry Hive and edit the REG_DWORD Value as '1'
      Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters Name: AutoShareServer Data Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1
      Note: 1. If you cannot find the value in the registry under the exact location (i.e. it does not exist) - No need to add new value. A reboot is necessary for this to take effect.

   For Windows Server 2008 R2: In case you have a Windows Server 2008 R2 based domain environment you can enable the Admin$ in your client machine using a Start-Up script. Please refer to this document for details.

   For Workstations:

   1. Click Start and select| Run.
   2. Type regedit in the Run prompt and click OK.
   3. Navigate the following in the Registry Hive and edit the REG_DWORD Value as '1'
      Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanManServer\Parameters Name: AutoShareWks Data Type: REG_DWORD Value: 1
      Note: If you cannot find the value in the registry under the exact location (i.e. it does not exist) - No need to add new value. A reboot is necessary for this to take effect.

Applies to: Agent/Distribution server Installation Failure, Endpoint Central Agent/Distribution server Installation, Patch Scan Failure, Asset Scan Failure

Keywords: Agent/Distribution server Installation, Endpoint Central Agent/Distribution server Installation Failure, Patch Scan Fails, Asset Scan Fails, Installation Failure, An Extended Error Occurred.