LAN Connection Problem - Help needed Quickly...

[PhotoOpp]

I am in the process of trying to configure my daughter's new computer (with an ASUS A7N8X-E-Dx motherboard) in her house where she goes to university and I am trying to connect her to the house network.

So far I was able to connect her to the router because I can get to the internet. However when I click on Network Places I cannot see anyone else on her network! For some reason the others in the house each use a separate workgroup. When I looked at another house computer I couldn't see my daughters computer but I could see 3 other workgroups! On that other machine I was able to see my daughter's computer by searching for it. However when I search on her machine for other specific computers I can't find anything!

I am using a nVidia LAN port. The OS is WinXP Pro SP2.

Any quick thoughts... I will have to leave soon for the long drive home. Thanks...

 

[jisoo23]

What versions of Windows do the other computers use? Sometimes Windows XP has problems seeing other computers that aren't XP as well.

 

[geekboy1]

Have you enabled print/file sharing on her machine? Are you logging on to the box using "client for microsoft networks" ? Is the workgroup on your daughters box the same name as the others in the house?

 

[PhotoOpp]

For clarity... the Netork Controller is a nVidia nForce and uses:

- Client for Microsoft Networks
- File & Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks
- Microsoft TCP/IP version 6
- Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

On the Workgroups situation, as I mentioned in my original post for some reason they each use a separate workgroup name! When using one of her housemates' computers a query on the Entire Network shows the names of the other workgroups but not the one my daughter uses!

To answer the other question on versions of Windows... there are different versions... but prior to my setting up this new computer for her, her old one had Win XP and was able to see the others!

In my original post I stated that I was able to access the router... in fact they use a mini switch not a router, but I am able to get through to the internet so the connection is there.

Any other thoughts?

 

[PhotoOpp]

A litlle more info...

I opened up a CMD window and entered the command

Net View\\otheruser (the name of one of the other house computers) and I was able to get through! It gives me a list of the share names and the type (disk or print). So the connections are there; the question is how do I get WinXP to recognize them?

 

[bcastner]

. Netbios over TCP/IP enabled in TCP/IP Properties, Advanced, WINS tab;
. No blank or empty password
. Something: disk, printer, folder but something shared on all computers;
. Firewall issues resolved. This includes the native XP ICF Firewall, any third-party firewall, and any antivirus software with a firewall component such as PC-Illan.
. Every computer on the same network segment. Since you do not have a DHCP server, it is likely you are using APIA addresses. Make sure there is no conflict, or better yet use the Alternate tab under TCP/IP properties and assign non-conflicting static IP addresses 192.168.0.1 ...
. Make all the Workgroup names identical.

 

[PhotoOpp]

Thnaks for the ideas...

- I enabled the Netbios over TCP/IP;
- I don't understand the password item... so far I have not tried to log on to the other computers I only want to see them.
- What do you mean by "something shared on all computers"?
- Firewall... I turned the SP2 one off while I work on this problem
- I am not familiar with APIA addresses... when you suggest that I install non-conflicting static IP addresses 192.168.0.1... Based on the IPConfig command (see below) I chose 192.168.1.6 and the gateway as 192.168.1.1... does this make sense?

(I just ran IPConfig and got the following results

Ethernet Adpater Local Area Network:
Connection-Specific DNS Suffix (the name of the cable co)
IP address 192.168.1.104
Subnet mask 255.....
IP address
DEfault gateway 192.168.1.1

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Connection-Specific DNS Suffix empty
IP address weird codes
IP address weird codes
DEfault gateway empty

Tunnel Adapter Automatic Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Connection-Specific DNS Suffix (the name of the cable co)
IP address weird codes
DEfault gateway empty


Finally, changing everyone to the same workgroup while logical will probably not pass by the politics of the 6 young women in this house!

 

[bcastner]

I am not certain what politics has to do with Workgroup naming, but if you want to see 6 Workgroups in Network Places so be it. This will make it difficult, but not impossible, to see shares offered on other machines.

This:
Ethernet Adpater Local Area Network:
Connection-Specific DNS Suffix (the name of the cable co)
IP address 192.168.1.104
Subnet mask 255.....
IP address
DEfault gateway 192.168.1.1

Tells me that you have a DHCP server somewhere. Many broadband modems are perfectly capale of acting as small routers, and I suspect that is the case. So, set your settings to obtain an IP address automaticly. Let the modem/router issue IPs.

This:

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Connection-Specific DNS Suffix empty
IP address weird codes
IP address weird codes
DEfault gateway empty

Tunnel Adapter Automatic Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Connection-Specific DNS Suffix (the name of the cable co)
IP address weird codes
DEfault gateway empty

You can ignore. It is part of the provisions made for IP v.6 and can be safely ignored.

Start, Run, CMD
net view

Any listings here are workstations without a firewall issue. Any missing listings are suspect.

nbtsat -n
Does it show the workstation you are own as registered?

nbtstat -c
Should show two entries for all other connected computers that are on. If this table is empty you still have a firewall issue.

It can take up to two hours for a Netbios-based network to resolve Master Browser elections and reliably build a table of connected computers, although 30 minutes pre-SP2 is more typical. (SP2 improved the redirector, and two minutes is typical for all SP2 clients).

Review Steve Winograd's notes here:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm

And run a checklist/troubleshooter here:

http://www.michna.com/kb/wxnet.htm

 

[PhotoOpp]

Net View yields the following error message "System error 6118 has occurred - The list of servers is not currently available"

I am assuming that the nbtsat -n &-c are results I should have received!

I saw in another thread that you stated that "Use only one protocol for File and Printer Sharing. If the network needs more than one protocol, unbind File and Printer Sharing from all but one of them." This computer has 2 protocols - Microsoft TCP/IP version 6 & - Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)... could this be a problem?

I will read your other links...

 

[bcastner]

No, the IP v6 will not interfere, but you most certainly can remove it.

It is part of the Advanced Networking Package, listed under Windows Components of Add/remove Programs in the Networking section as "Peer to Peer."

Check the Event Viewer to see if there are Master Browser issues. XP is quite aggresive in trying to win election as the Master Browser, and these Browser wars can effect how complete a listing of other workstations may be at any time. If you see Master Browser election errors:
Start, Run, services.msc
Stop, then disable the Computer Browser service on that computer. This should make any Browser fights less intense.
While you are there, Stop and disable the DNS Client service as it is not needed an can get in the way.

 

[PhotoOpp]

Success at last!!!

I had already disabled Computer Browser (per BlackViper) but I had left the DNS Client on Auto. I changed that this time around.

However, I also moved my daughter's computer into one of the other Workgroups and voila... she now has access to all the other workgroups and computers...

Thanks for all the help...