Question : (Win XP) Net Send: msg alias not found

Hi there

I would like to be able to use the "net send" command in Windows XP to pop-up messages to clients on my network. (Workgroup, no domain).

When I type: "net view" at a command prompt (as Administrator) I can see a list of all of my clients.
\\STATION01, \\STATION02 and so on. File sharing is NOT enabled, client for Microsoft Networks is. NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled.

When I type, "net send STATION01 message", I get the following error.

"An error occurred while sending a message to STATION01.

The message alias could not be found on the network.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2273."

I can't connect to any computers by "Net view \\COMPUTERNAME" because I get an error "System error 53 has occurred. The network path was not found." I assume this is because file and printer sharing is turned off.

I checked the services and the computer browser service cannot be started either. I get the error "The Computer Browser service on Local Computer started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they have no work to do, for example, the Performance Logs and Alerts service." The Event Log just has 3 Information entries that the service entered the running state then entered the stopped state. No errors.

Is there any way I can use 'net send' to send messages WITHOUT enabling a file/printer share? Thanks!

Answer : (Win XP) Net Send: msg alias not found

what firewalls are involved? smacks of a firewall issue