Home networking issue - cannot see computer

[mmogul]

I cannot "see" one of the computers on my home network. I Can Ping it by its IP Address, but I can not "Ping" It by Name. I believe that means there is some kind of DNS or WINS entry issue -- but what do I do about that?

Thanks.

 

[raptor96]

Are both machines on the same workgroup? Some computers are MSHOME, and others are WORKGROUP. They must be the same to see each other. The fact that they can ping each other simply means they're on the same LAN.

 

[linney]

Have you enabled Netbios over TCP/IP in the WINS setting?

Cannot ping XP workstation
thread779-920007

RTO when pinging a specific macine
thread779-951678

Windows Networking Myths

http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/myths.htm

 

[raptor96]

Linney, I appreciate the links you posted in your reply, especially the one about Windows networking myths. It cleared up a few misconceptions on my part about work groups. Computers don't have to be in the same workgroup to see each other, it's just not as straight forward.

 

[mmogul]

Thank you both for your responses. This is where I'm at. I am probably dealing with multiple issues.

1) I verified that all computers used the same workgroup
2) Because one computer would give a timeout message when clicking on that workgroup (did not have authority) - I changed the workgroup name on all workgroups to a new name. My laptop no longer issued that message.
3) The pc in question that could not be pinged was previously connected wirelessly to a WAP which is connected to the router. I disconnected the wireless connection and connected via ethernet. However, then I could no longer even ping by IP address -even though the pc could get to the network.
4) The wired connection went from PC to Vonage device to router. (The vonage device has a passthrough port). I changed the connection so it went directly to the router. Name resolution now works!

So - I now know that if I want the computer accessible to the home network, I cannot connect through the port on the Vonage device. However, I still do not know why I cannot connect this PC wirelessly.

Appreciate any thoughts....

 

[mmogul]

I should clarify that last statement. I can connect the pc wirelessly to the internet. It just does not show up on the home network for file sharing.

 

[mmogul]

One more thing. I did verify that the Netbios over tcp/ip in the WINS setting is set at: Default - Use NetBIOS setting from the DHCP server. If static IP address is used or the DHCP server does not provide NETBIOS setting, enable NETBIOS over tcp/ip.

This is set this way for both wireless and wired networked devices.

 

[linney]

Update to the new XP Wireless Client:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917021

How to troubleshoot wireless network connections in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313242/EN-US/?FR=1

How to troubleshoot wireless network connections in Windows XP Service Pack 2

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/870702/en-us?FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

xp drops wireless then reconnects
thread779-941706

Wireless Connection and SP2
thread779-1271580

To re-install the wireless zero configuration service under XP, see:

http://blog.kevindonahue.com/archives/2004/05/multiple_wirele.php

http://langa.com/newsletters/2006/2006-04-03.htm