If you are trying to run locally, add the line SET XDBSERVE=LOCAL to your CONFIG.SYS file and reboot.
1. If running local and not starting the engine explicitly, then retry the programs. Under conditions of low memory it may take the XDB Server longer to initialize than the predefined wait period before a client may access the server.
2. If the Named Pipe displayed memory starts with \\, you are trying to recess a remote XDB Server via Named Pipes. Also, you may need to put your server name after NPDAEMON.EXE in your CONFIG.SYS file. The server cannot be found.
If you are operating under Banyan VINES, bring up the engine first by typing xdbserve, and then type xdb. Also see error N020.