Ping Problem on Home LAN 1

[maxhugen]

I have 6 pcs networked via a DLink ADSL Router and a switch. The router IP is 192.168.0.1, and the pcs have been manually assigned IPs from 192.168.0.2 on.

3 of the 6 pcs running WinXP cannot be pinged, although I used to be able to reach them. They respond to 127.0.0.1 and their own IP address, and they can connect to the Internet.

In Windows explorer, I can see all the pcs under 'Computers near me', but can't connect to the 3 that won't ping. There is no Domain, just a workgroup.

Although I've been searching the net and this forum for a while, I can't find anything that seems similar. What's especially disturbing is that I used to be able to connect OK, and haven't changed anything knowingly - although they do get updated by Windows.

Any suggestions would be very welcome. MTIA.

Max Hugen
Australia

 

[maxhugen]

I also tried a tracert to one of the pcs:
[tt]tracert 192.168.0.2[/tt]
It did the maximum of 30 hops, they all timed out.

 

[jimbopalmer]

Windows firewall?

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[maxhugen]

I don't know... the firewalls allow internet access, but I don't see anything that relates to it being pinged. What should I look for pls?

Max Hugen
Australia

 

[burtsbees]

ICMP being blocked. Windows Firewall by default blocks icmp packets (ping). Something is blocking pings...for sure.

Burt

 

[maxhugen]

FWIW, I tried a couple of NET commands:

[tt]C:\Documents and Settings\Max>net view
Server Name Remark
--------------------------------------
\\HE-DATA
\\HE-DEV
\\HE-NOTEBOOK
\\HE-SANDY
The command completed successfully.

C:\Documents and Settings\Max>net view \\HE-DEV
System error 53 has occurred.

The network path was not found.[/tt]

Also, I read that the Microsoft Network uses a 'master browser'. I checked HKLM\system\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters, and none of the pcs has the key IsDomainMaster set to True. Could that be a problem? Although, I guess it was never set anyway, and yet previously ping used to work OK...

Max Hugen
Australia

 

[burtsbees]

Did Norton do an update when you rebooted? Windows Update? Try system restore to the last time it worked. SOMETHING IS BLOCKING ICMP!!!!!

Burt

 

[burtsbees]

Quit overthinking it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Burt

 

[maxhugen]

G'day Burt

Sorry mate, our posts must have crossed, didn't see your first post re ICMP when I sent the 'NET' one...

I checked the firewall, under Advanced there's a section 'ICMP', and in the Settings I enabled 'Allow incoming echo request', and sure enough, that fixed the ping problem.

Your posts made me re-examine this very carefully, and I found that the same settings exist under 'Network Connection Settings'. Although its not enabled there as well, I can still ping to my heart's content now.

Do you know what the difference is, between setting ICMP settings under 'ICMP' versus under 'Network Connection'?

A couple of related(?) questions pls:

1. Should I enable any of the other ICMP settings besides 'Allow incoming echo request'?

2. Windows Explorer - does it use ICMP to communicate from pc to pc? Is that why I couldn't connect to them via Windows Explorer?

3. This whole [ping] line of enquiry came about after I found that 2 pcs would not connect to Skype. I've been battling this for 2 weeks, with the patient help of people on the Skype forum, but we still haven't solved it. Skype is listed under the firewall's exceptions, and 2 other pcs can connect to Skype AOK. Any thoughts?

Many thanks for your help!

Cheers, Max

Max Hugen
Australia

 

[burtsbees]

Well, the best way to test if the firewall is the problem is to turn it off. Software firewalls are goofy as hell.
This is an almost complete list of messages that networked computers use the ICMP protocol for...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intern...mitted_control_messages_.28incomplete_list.29

Also, I am not sure exactly where these settings are...here's what you asked...
"Do you know what the difference is, between setting ICMP settings under 'ICMP' versus under 'Network Connection'?"
Where are these settings found in Windows?
By this...
"2. Windows Explorer - does it use ICMP to communicate from pc to pc? Is that why I couldn't connect to them via Windows Explorer?"
do you mean like RDC? If you are simply trying to look for other computers, then yes. If RDC, then no---RDC uses a particular tcp (I think, but maybe udp), but I don't remember what it is...
For this question...
"3. This whole [ping] line of enquiry came about after I found that 2 pcs would not connect to Skype. I've been battling this for 2 weeks, with the patient help of people on the Skype forum, but we still haven't solved it. Skype is listed under the firewall's exceptions, and 2 other pcs can connect to Skype AOK. Any thoughts?"
turn the firewall off, and then see if they connect. Other programs that may interfere are a pop-up blocker in your browser (?), Norton anti-virus (anti-connect, really!).
Thanks for the star!!!
I was in Australia once for 5 days---W.A., in Perth. It was awesome!

Burt

 

[maxhugen]

Yeh, Norton Anti-Connect can be a pain. Used to be great when Peter Norton released it, but went rapidly downhill after he sold out to Symantec. Even after uninstalling it, and running their Removal Tool, I just discovered that there are still registry entires trying to run non-existent Symantec services. Pathetic. I switched to AntiVir. Still, I'll try disabling that too, and give Skype another try.

Haven't been to Perth, long way from the East Coast, and domestic airfares are a killer in Oz... but it's high on my wish list.

Cheers, Max

Max Hugen
Australia

 

[burtsbees]

Ahhh...Sydney, then?

Burt

 

[tlcscousin]

You can try removing the network card in device manager restart and let it reload the card (might be wise to have the drivers saved in case they are not in xp's drivers list)

After reinstalling the card ensure client for microsoft networks and file and print sharing are enabled on the NIC.

 

[maxhugen]

G'day Burt, tlcscousin

Used to live in Sydney, finally managed to move to 'the country' a couple of years ago... NSW Mid North Coast, near Port Macquarie. Absolutely beautiful!

Found the problem with Skype. I'd loaded Integard (a 'net nanny' type of program) onto the kids' pcs. It not only blocks access to unsavoury websites, but also stops internet access to local programs such as Skype and SNTP etc. Had to add Skype to an 'allowed' list, and some ports for SNTP.

Cheers, Max

Max Hugen
Australia

 

[lhuegele]

Most consumer routers also act as firewalls. Because of this we turn off the Windows firewalls on all our machines at home.

Good luck,