FAQ for Net Send Lite v3.02   

I get the error "The message alias could not be found on the network", why?

First off -- if you are getting this specific error message then you are not on the latest version of Net Send Lite. Download the latest version of Net Send Lite which includes much better error handling and error checks.

This is an error that is generated when the Send To username or computername is not located. This could happen for several different reasons.

First, you have to make sure the Messenger service is running on the sending computer AND the target computer. To check if the Messenger service is running do the following:

  1. Click on Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services
  2. Scroll down the list until you see the service named Messenger
  3. The status column show the current status of this service. It probably has nothing in that column. It should say "Started".
  4. Also, next to this column is another that says Startup Type. This needs to be Automatic for using Net Send Lite
  5. Double-click on the Messenger service
  6. Change the startup type to Automatic and click Apply
  7. Then click on the Start button to start the Messenger service. Then click OK to close the window.

Once you are sure the Messenger Service is running please try to send a test message to your own username or computername. Then try the target computer again.

If you are running Windows XP SP2, then you will have to manually turn on the Messenger Service. You will also have to DISABLE the Windows Firewall or add the Messenger Service as an "exception".

Please make sure the username, computername or IP Address of the person you want to send a message to is correct. Sometimes the "username" does not get registered correctly on some machines, read this faq that addresses that issue. Try sending a message to the computername or IP Address instead.

If you are using the "feature" Net Send Lite that allows you to Specify the FROM Name, please read this faq that addresses a small issue with sending messages with a Specific FROM Name.

If you still receive the error message, do this:

  1. Click on Start - Run
  2. Type in cmd.exe
  3. From this console type in "net name"
  4. Listed are the names that your computer can be sent messages TO. (If you get an error message, then your Messenger service is not started correctly. Reboot your system).
  5. Do this on the computer you want to send messages to as well.
  6. Try sending a test message to any of the names listed in this cmd.exe window
  7. If you successfully send a message to yourself, send a message to one of the names listed on the other computer you want to send a message to.

If you have changed your FROM NAME using Net Send Lite and are still having issues. Try going into the OPTIONS of Net Send Lite and clicking the Save button. Then try and send your message.

After that, if you are STILL having problems....try restarting the Messenger service via Right-Click Restart inside of the Services Control Panel. Then also restart the service name "TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper". This is the service that does the name resolution on your username.

The messenger service must be running on the receiving computer to display a pop-up message when the message is received. In addition, the Workstation service must be running on the local computer. NetBIOS is the transport mechanism used between the sender and receiver.

This error is generated from the Microsoft network call we are making. For more information on this error and how Microsoft says to resolve it, please read the following:

Windows 2000    Windows XP SP2