Networking help

gtghm

Ok Prime has went the extra mile again and tried for at least an hour or 2 to help me set up my network.

First let me set the stage.

#1 comp= Main (OS is XP Pro SP1a)
#2 comp= Notebook (OS is XP Pro SP2)
#3 comp= folding rig (OS is XP Pro SP2)
#4 comp= SM20 (OS is XP Pro Sp1a)

All are named to the same workgroup gtghm
File sharing and remote connections are enabled (I want to be able to log into them from anywhere from any machine)

I can see all computers and ping all computers from my Main rig.
If I put in the IP address of SM20 it won't find it but if I put in the computer name it finds. If I ping SM20 in the command prompt it finds it as well as when I ping it with the IP.

From Computer #2 I can only see the Notebook and the folding rig (#3)
I can ping all computers from the command prompt using either the IP or the comp name, however I can not see either SM20 or my Main rig in the workgroup. Entering in the comp name in either IE or windows explorer will not find SM20 or my main rig.

From Computer #3 I can see only Comp #2 with the same issuse as above exaclty

From Comp #4 SM20 I can only see the Main rig so its the exact same thing as comp #2 and #3 except I can only see comp #1 and nothing I do sees comps #2 and #3.

Its like XP is only letting me see 1 other computer on my network except for my main rig which sees all four.

for example I was able to DNL a file to comp #1 and them copy it to my shared documents on comp #2 which was able to see it and use it however I can not copy a file to my shared docs on comp #1 because comp #2 dosen't see Comp #1...

Sound confusing.... Yea me too.

Maybe Prime could chime in as to what we tried already other than that I can use all the help I can get...

Oh just a quick note, before SP2 was uninstalled I could only see comp#4 from my main rig (comp #1)
Now I have removed SP2 and I see all 4 however in all fairness to trouble shooting I have sinced enabled "allow NetBios" in my firewall software which I realize is kinda pointless.

Also I have tried all things with Firewalls diabled and rebooting and enableing them and rebooting still same results...

Thanks,
"g"

gtghm

UGH this is so pucked... I tried an experiment and removed SP2 from Comp #3 and now no computer can see and I can not remote desktop into it...

Man this really blows...

-"g"

gtghm

The plot thickens

Ok I can all of a sudden I can remote into SM20 (which is a good thing) but I can not remote into My Folding Rig (#3), just before I removed SP2 from Folding Rig I could remote into it from either rig #1 or #2 but not SM20

So can some one please help me?

Thanks
"g"

gtghm

Ok SM20 can see all comps like the Main rig can but neither rig #2 or 3 can see any thing. They can ping but they can not see any workgroup and I get error that say my workgroup is not accessible, whins about permissions but then goes on to say that it could not find the path.

"g"

PressX

If ip's, DFG etc are correct you may have an XP problem. I find this with some smaller networks I set up. You do everything by the book, you can ping all the nodes, you may be able to run to them (\\ipaddress\sharename) and yet they are not visible on the network. My "quick" fix for this is to run the network wizard but I do not use XP's defult settings.

Try THIS article

My theory is it is the master browser playing games with XP network....

maggie99635

If you are using a router I hate the network wizard. On those SP2 machines open the firewall (exceptions) and make sure printer and file sharing,remote desktop,remote assistance are checked, UPNP is you want that checked also, the router can disable the outside port . If you are using a software firewall put the IP Range as trusted.
Use the same(Folder Options) either simple filesharing or disable that on all the computers. If it is disabled just enable the guest account on each. Network Connections Folder the Advanced Tab on the toolbar go to advanced settings and make sure tcp/ip is bound to Client for Microsoft and printer and filesharing on the network. Enable netbios over tcp/ip in TCP. Anytime you make a change on the network rebooting will set it so all the computers will see the change. Properties>Advanced>Wins Reboot the computers.
I have simle filesharing disabled. All my computers are set up with the same profiles and passwords. Simple minds at play here so I don't forget what is going on. The only thing I noticed is in Sp2 my permissions were tightened up so I had to go in and give myself more permission so I could change files, not just look at them.
If you can't log in to a folder go there and see if there is a $ on the share name. If there is just click new share and give it a name without the $. With those($) you can type the path and get in if you don't want the whole network to access it.
Hope this helps might point you to something you missed.

gtghm

maggie99635 wrote:

If you are using a router I hate the network wizard. On those SP2 machines open the firewall (exceptions) and make sure printer and file sharing,remote desktop,remote assistance are checked, UPNP is you want that checked also, the router can disable the outside port . If you are using a software firewall put the IP Range as trusted.
Use the same(Folder Options) either simple filesharing or disable that on all the computers. If it is disabled just enable the guest account on each. Network Connections Folder the Advanced Tab on the toolbar go to advanced settings and make sure tcp/ip is bound to Client for Microsoft and printer and filesharing on the network. Enable netbios over tcp/ip in TCP. Anytime you make a change on the network rebooting will set it so all the computers will see the change. Properties>Advanced>Wins Reboot the computers.
I have simle filesharing disabled. All my computers are set up with the same profiles and passwords. Simple minds at play here so I don't forget what is going on. The only thing I noticed is in Sp2 my permissions were tightened up so I had to go in and give myself more permission so I could change files, not just look at them.
If you can't log in to a folder go there and see if there is a $ on the share name. If there is just click new share and give it a name without the $. With those($) you can type the path and get in if you don't want the whole network to access it.
Hope this helps might point you to something you missed.

Thanks I'll give that a try.
I don't want to reinstall just for this, it doesn't seem right that i would have to do that.

"g"

gtghm

maggie99635 wrote:

The only thing I noticed is in Sp2 my permissions were tightened up so I had to go in and give myself more permission so I could change files, not just look at them.
If you can't log in to a folder go there and see if there is a $ on the share name. If there is just click new share and give it a name without the $. With those($) you can type the path and get in if you don't want the whole network to access it.

I'm lost on this part?

Can you elaberate?

gtghm

BTW, nothing has helped so far...

"g"

maggie99635

Oh no!! Go to sharing and security on the shared folder. Permissions tab is there. Just make sure it is Everyone or the list of profiles allowed , check read and change. You don't need to enable control.
Maybe it isn't there if you are using simple filesharing. Just make sure everything is bound to tcp/ip and the same protocols are installed on all machines. Share something on each. Once that is done and you can see and get to folder then mess with permissions if you are stopped at the gate. Or if you can get in but not change something.

You aren't having problems getting on the net?! Have you been messing around repairing Windows or uninstalling Service packs?
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318030
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;%5bLN%5d;329441
the Workaround is the easiest if you don't have the SP handy

gtghm

Wow, this is a stumper...
I have tried everything and still no go.

I will post a pic of the error that I am gettting that might help.

"g"

gtghm

Here's a pic of the current error

gtghm

I want to note that I am logged in as the administrator.

I get this when I click on my workgroup name in my network places...

Ideas?

I did all of the fixes and work arounds...

"g"

Tex

stupid qustion but you do have the same user and password setup on all 4 machines also right? Add a NEW USER AND PASSWORD BOTH. Login in EACH COMPUTER to the new user with password and then run the networking wizard to setup your home network again on each box and reboot them all. Do not skip a step on any of the computers.

There are some helpful options in x-setup that can force one computer to be the master browser and force its list to be updated and stuff also. It sounds like the master is screwing up at times.

I have twice got my home network screwed up to where only MY USER could not see and copy from all machines. And yes I know the password was the same and I had permision but I couldnt even see most the other computers (I had six on the network at that time). Other users could and a new user added could. Only my user could not browse my network neighberhood and see all the computers. So even if this sounds screwy try it.

PressX

Good words from Tex. Use his advice to start the network with a clean slate. Create a new user on ALL pc's make sure the password is the same. Then run the net wiz. If you having problems it can clear the stuff you don't have control over unless you edit the registry or know the DOS commands. There is nothing wroing in using the network wizard if it fixes your problem! I try to avoid it but sometimes it just does the job. Good luck!

Tex

After stuff has been mucked with a lot manually and its not working right the wizard can help clean up stuff sometimes it seems if something is FUBAR'd.

I set my own stuff manually it seems but when I get a call and a clients system is messed up or he starts with "I been trying to get the networking setup for two days and...."

I start and do exactly what I posted step by step and after rebooting everything works perfect over 95 percent of the time. And people watch after pulling their hair out for two days and are just slack jawed it was sooooooooo easy. Generally if you dont have hardware/cable related probs and just do this just like I posted things just magicaly work. (grin)

Gobbles

aahhh xp pro.. microsoft.. takes the nice lean easy 2000 networking and puts it in a blender with some lard and makes xp networking...

maggie99635

Check services and see if Internet browser and tcp netbios is started on the machines that aren't showing. Like I said My profiles and passwords are all the same maybe at least the main administrator password, go to control userpasswords2 and change it on all. I have disabled simple file sharing. If there are any things different in the network protocols it doesn't work. Since you don't have access to your workgroup in one error message , and one appears to have a service turned off since .
Go to gpedit.msc look in Security> local policies >user rights

gtghm

Great thanks guys I'll give those suggestions a try. I am not using the same user for all machines and that might be the problem. I'll go back to the beginning and start fresh.

I will be too busy tonight to work on it but I will give it a try on either Friday night or on the weekend.

Would it help to uninstall the networking thing in XP then reinstall them like a new install after I change the user names to all the same on my rigs?

Thanks,
"g"

Tex

start by just doing exactly as we outlined