I'm trying to share disk drives and printers between two pc's with a
crossover cable and workgroup. I cannot see/access the shared items. I've
been able to clear up some issues using earlier posts, but it still does not
work.

I have the following setup:
- 2 pcs with XP Pro, recent ASUS mobo and onboard LAN
- I have a single ISP dial up account. Each pc has a separate phone line
and internal modem.
- I've run the network setup wizard numerous times. The most useful setup
I've found for my config is to specify a workgroup with no ISP connection.
- I'm using a kvm switch to share dual monitors/keyboard/mouse/speakers
between the pcs.
- PC1 169.254.xxx.yyy
- PC2 169.254.mmm.nnn
- PC1 and PC2 have a firewall for their ISP connection, none for the LAN.

I've done the following so far:
- read somewhere a crossover cable supports 10 mbps, not 100 mbps. I reset
PC1 from 100 to 10 mbps.
- selected NetBIOS over TCP/IP
- ipconfig /all shows "unknown" which i believe is correct
- set the "share" setting on the desired disks, setting is confirmed in
Windows Explorer icon
- ping PC1 <-> PC2 works in both directions

When I try to access the shared items on PC1 I can see/access PC1 items, I
see the PC2 entry but when I try to expand it I receive error:

"PC2 is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have
access permissions. The network path was not found."

When I try to access the shared items on PC2 I cannot see the PC2 or PC1
shared items, when I try to expand the workgroup I receive error:

"Workgroup is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
network resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if
you have access permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is not
currently available."

Please provide any suggestions.

thanks.

www.careyholzman.com/netfixes.htm

Tip #2

Carey

"Alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:36DEFC36-CB2B-4982-A063-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm trying to share disk drives and printers between two pc's with a
> crossover cable and workgroup. I cannot see/access the shared items.
> I've
> been able to clear up some issues using earlier posts, but it still does
> not
> work.
>
> I have the following setup:
> - 2 pcs with XP Pro, recent ASUS mobo and onboard LAN
> - I have a single ISP dial up account. Each pc has a separate phone line
> and internal modem.
> - I've run the network setup wizard numerous times. The most useful setup
> I've found for my config is to specify a workgroup with no ISP connection.
> - I'm using a kvm switch to share dual monitors/keyboard/mouse/speakers
> between the pcs.
> - PC1 169.254.xxx.yyy
> - PC2 169.254.mmm.nnn
> - PC1 and PC2 have a firewall for their ISP connection, none for the LAN.
>
> I've done the following so far:
> - read somewhere a crossover cable supports 10 mbps, not 100 mbps. I
> reset
> PC1 from 100 to 10 mbps.
> - selected NetBIOS over TCP/IP
> - ipconfig /all shows "unknown" which i believe is correct
> - set the "share" setting on the desired disks, setting is confirmed in
> Windows Explorer icon
> - ping PC1 <-> PC2 works in both directions
>
> When I try to access the shared items on PC1 I can see/access PC1 items, I
> see the PC2 entry but when I try to expand it I receive error:
>
> "PC2 is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
> resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if you
> have
> access permissions. The network path was not found."
>
> When I try to access the shared items on PC2 I cannot see the PC2 or PC1
> shared items, when I try to expand the workgroup I receive error:
>
> "Workgroup is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
> network resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if
> you have access permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is
> not
> currently available."
>
> Please provide any suggestions.
>
> thanks.

In article <36DEFC36-CB2B-4982-A063-(E-Mail Removed)>,
"Alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I'm trying to share disk drives and printers between two pc's with a
>crossover cable and workgroup. I cannot see/access the shared items. I've
>been able to clear up some issues using earlier posts, but it still does not
>work.
>
>I have the following setup:
>- 2 pcs with XP Pro, recent ASUS mobo and onboard LAN
>- I have a single ISP dial up account. Each pc has a separate phone line
>and internal modem.
>- I've run the network setup wizard numerous times. The most useful setup
>I've found for my config is to specify a workgroup with no ISP connection.
>- I'm using a kvm switch to share dual monitors/keyboard/mouse/speakers
>between the pcs.
>- PC1 169.254.xxx.yyy
>- PC2 169.254.mmm.nnn
>- PC1 and PC2 have a firewall for their ISP connection, none for the LAN.
>
>I've done the following so far:
>- read somewhere a crossover cable supports 10 mbps, not 100 mbps. I reset
>PC1 from 100 to 10 mbps.
>- selected NetBIOS over TCP/IP
>- ipconfig /all shows "unknown" which i believe is correct
>- set the "share" setting on the desired disks, setting is confirmed in
>Windows Explorer icon
>- ping PC1 <-> PC2 works in both directions
>
>When I try to access the shared items on PC1 I can see/access PC1 items, I
>see the PC2 entry but when I try to expand it I receive error:
>
>"PC2 is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
>resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have
>access permissions. The network path was not found."
>
>When I try to access the shared items on PC2 I cannot see the PC2 or PC1
>shared items, when I try to expand the workgroup I receive error:
>
>"Workgroup is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
>network resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if
>you have access permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is not
>currently available."
>
>Please provide any suggestions.
>
>thanks.

A properly wired crossover cable supports 100 mbps. Where did you see
that it doesn't? I address that issue on this web page:

Steve Winograd's Networking Myths
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/myths.htm

A node type of "unknown" is fine.

On each computer, try accessing the other computer by typing the
other computer's name in the Start | Run box in this format:

\\computer (for example, \\desktop)

If that doesn't work, try typing the other computer's IP address in
the Start | Run box in this format:

\\ip-address (for example, \\169.253.123.234)

If both types of access work, the problem is probably that network
browsing isn't working. In that case, make sure that the Computer
Browser service is running on each computer:

1. Right click My Computer, and click Manage.
2. Double click Services and Applications.
3. Double click Services.
4. Double click Computer Browser. If the Service status is Stopped,
click Start.
5. Set the Startup type to Automatic.

If Access by IP address works but access by computer name doesn't
work, the problem is probably that NetBIOS over TCP/IP isn't enabled.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

thanks for the suggestions.

I read thru the info on www.careyholzman.com, could not find anything that
would fix the problem.

I found the 10 vs 100 mbps comment during a google search. My older pc
default value was 100 mbps, the newer pc was 10 mbps. The older pc has a
config option to set the speed to 10 mbps so I changed it. I did not see a
speed option on the newer pc. If I can get this connection to work, I'd like
to bump it to 100 mbps in the future. My cable is new.

I tried the "\\computer" command. The results were:

- PC1 and PC2 both work with their own name and ip address.

- PC1 fails with the PC2 name and ip address.

- PC2 fails with the PC1 name and works with the PC1 ip address.

I checked the Computer Browser, both are running.

I checked the NetBIOS over TCP/IP option, both are set.

Additional suggestions? thanks in advance.

==================

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote:

> In article <36DEFC36-CB2B-4982-A063-(E-Mail Removed)>,
> "Alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >I'm trying to share disk drives and printers between two pc's with a
> >crossover cable and workgroup. I cannot see/access the shared items. I've
> >been able to clear up some issues using earlier posts, but it still does not
> >work.
> >
> >I have the following setup:
> >- 2 pcs with XP Pro, recent ASUS mobo and onboard LAN
> >- I have a single ISP dial up account. Each pc has a separate phone line
> >and internal modem.
> >- I've run the network setup wizard numerous times. The most useful setup
> >I've found for my config is to specify a workgroup with no ISP connection.
> >- I'm using a kvm switch to share dual monitors/keyboard/mouse/speakers
> >between the pcs.
> >- PC1 169.254.xxx.yyy
> >- PC2 169.254.mmm.nnn
> >- PC1 and PC2 have a firewall for their ISP connection, none for the LAN.
> >
> >I've done the following so far:
> >- read somewhere a crossover cable supports 10 mbps, not 100 mbps. I reset
> >PC1 from 100 to 10 mbps.
> >- selected NetBIOS over TCP/IP
> >- ipconfig /all shows "unknown" which i believe is correct
> >- set the "share" setting on the desired disks, setting is confirmed in
> >Windows Explorer icon
> >- ping PC1 <-> PC2 works in both directions
> >
> >When I try to access the shared items on PC1 I can see/access PC1 items, I
> >see the PC2 entry but when I try to expand it I receive error:
> >
> >"PC2 is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
> >resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have
> >access permissions. The network path was not found."
> >
> >When I try to access the shared items on PC2 I cannot see the PC2 or PC1
> >shared items, when I try to expand the workgroup I receive error:
> >
> >"Workgroup is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
> >network resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if
> >you have access permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is not
> >currently available."
> >
> >Please provide any suggestions.
> >
> >thanks.
>
> A properly wired crossover cable supports 100 mbps. Where did you see
> that it doesn't? I address that issue on this web page:
>
> Steve Winograd's Networking Myths
> http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/myths.htm
>
> A node type of "unknown" is fine.
>
> On each computer, try accessing the other computer by typing the
> other computer's name in the Start | Run box in this format:
>
> \\computer (for example, \\desktop)
>
> If that doesn't work, try typing the other computer's IP address in
> the Start | Run box in this format:
>
> \\ip-address (for example, \\169.253.123.234)
>
> If both types of access work, the problem is probably that network
> browsing isn't working. In that case, make sure that the Computer
> Browser service is running on each computer:
>
> 1. Right click My Computer, and click Manage.
> 2. Double click Services and Applications.
> 3. Double click Services.
> 4. Double click Computer Browser. If the Service status is Stopped,
> click Start.
> 5. Set the Startup type to Automatic.
>
> If Access by IP address works but access by computer name doesn't
> work, the problem is probably that NetBIOS over TCP/IP isn't enabled.
> --
> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>
> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>
> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>

do you have Windows Firewall activated?


--
Andrei Ungureanu
www.eventid.net
Free Windows event logs reports
http://www.altairtech.ca/evlog/

"Alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:0C8003C1-4117-40C5-B24C-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> thanks for the suggestions.
>
> I read thru the info on www.careyholzman.com, could not find anything that
> would fix the problem.
>
> I found the 10 vs 100 mbps comment during a google search. My older pc
> default value was 100 mbps, the newer pc was 10 mbps. The older pc has a
> config option to set the speed to 10 mbps so I changed it. I did not see
> a
> speed option on the newer pc. If I can get this connection to work, I'd
> like
> to bump it to 100 mbps in the future. My cable is new.
>
> I tried the "\\computer" command. The results were:
>
> - PC1 and PC2 both work with their own name and ip address.
>
> - PC1 fails with the PC2 name and ip address.
>
> - PC2 fails with the PC1 name and works with the PC1 ip address.
>
> I checked the Computer Browser, both are running.
>
> I checked the NetBIOS over TCP/IP option, both are set.
>
> Additional suggestions? thanks in advance.
>
> ==================
>
> "Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> In article <36DEFC36-CB2B-4982-A063-(E-Mail Removed)>,
>> "Alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> >I'm trying to share disk drives and printers between two pc's with a
>> >crossover cable and workgroup. I cannot see/access the shared items.
>> >I've
>> >been able to clear up some issues using earlier posts, but it still does
>> >not
>> >work.
>> >
>> >I have the following setup:
>> >- 2 pcs with XP Pro, recent ASUS mobo and onboard LAN
>> >- I have a single ISP dial up account. Each pc has a separate phone
>> >line
>> >and internal modem.
>> >- I've run the network setup wizard numerous times. The most useful
>> >setup
>> >I've found for my config is to specify a workgroup with no ISP
>> >connection.
>> >- I'm using a kvm switch to share dual monitors/keyboard/mouse/speakers
>> >between the pcs.
>> >- PC1 169.254.xxx.yyy
>> >- PC2 169.254.mmm.nnn
>> >- PC1 and PC2 have a firewall for their ISP connection, none for the
>> >LAN.
>> >
>> >I've done the following so far:
>> >- read somewhere a crossover cable supports 10 mbps, not 100 mbps. I
>> >reset
>> >PC1 from 100 to 10 mbps.
>> >- selected NetBIOS over TCP/IP
>> >- ipconfig /all shows "unknown" which i believe is correct
>> >- set the "share" setting on the desired disks, setting is confirmed in
>> >Windows Explorer icon
>> >- ping PC1 <-> PC2 works in both directions
>> >
>> >When I try to access the shared items on PC1 I can see/access PC1 items,
>> >I
>> >see the PC2 entry but when I try to expand it I receive error:
>> >
>> >"PC2 is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
>> >network
>> >resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out if you
>> >have
>> >access permissions. The network path was not found."
>> >
>> >When I try to access the shared items on PC2 I cannot see the PC2 or PC1
>> >shared items, when I try to expand the workgroup I receive error:
>> >
>> >"Workgroup is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this
>> >network resource. contact the administrator of this server to find out
>> >if
>> >you have access permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup
>> >is not
>> >currently available."
>> >
>> >Please provide any suggestions.
>> >
>> >thanks.
>>
>> A properly wired crossover cable supports 100 mbps. Where did you see
>> that it doesn't? I address that issue on this web page:
>>
>> Steve Winograd's Networking Myths
>> http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/myths.htm
>>
>> A node type of "unknown" is fine.
>>
>> On each computer, try accessing the other computer by typing the
>> other computer's name in the Start | Run box in this format:
>>
>> \\computer (for example, \\desktop)
>>
>> If that doesn't work, try typing the other computer's IP address in
>> the Start | Run box in this format:
>>
>> \\ip-address (for example, \\169.253.123.234)
>>
>> If both types of access work, the problem is probably that network
>> browsing isn't working. In that case, make sure that the Computer
>> Browser service is running on each computer:
>>
>> 1. Right click My Computer, and click Manage.
>> 2. Double click Services and Applications.
>> 3. Double click Services.
>> 4. Double click Computer Browser. If the Service status is Stopped,
>> click Start.
>> 5. Set the Startup type to Automatic.
>>
>> If Access by IP address works but access by computer name doesn't
>> work, the problem is probably that NetBIOS over TCP/IP isn't enabled.
>> --
>> Best Wishes,
>> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>>
>> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
>> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
>> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>>
>> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>>

The Windows firewall is turned off for the LAN's.

The Windows firewall is turned on for the ISP networks. I've tried turning
these off, doesn't change the LAN behavior.


"Andrei Ungureanu" wrote:

> do you have Windows Firewall activated?
>
>
> --
> Andrei Ungureanu
> www.eventid.net
> Free Windows event logs reports
> http://www.altairtech.ca/evlog/
>

In article <0C8003C1-4117-40C5-B24C-(E-Mail Removed)>,
"Alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>thanks for the suggestions.
>
>I read thru the info on www.careyholzman.com, could not find anything that
>would fix the problem.

That site claims to "Fix ALL Windows Networking Problems", but almost
nothing on it applies to Windows XP, and it doesn't mention numerous
common Windows XP networking problems.

>I found the 10 vs 100 mbps comment during a google search. My older pc
>default value was 100 mbps, the newer pc was 10 mbps. The older pc has a
>config option to set the speed to 10 mbps so I changed it. I did not see a
>speed option on the newer pc. If I can get this connection to work, I'd like
>to bump it to 100 mbps in the future. My cable is new.

There's a lot of misinformation on the Internet. A properly wired
crossover cable works fine at 100 mbps. Was the cable professionally
manufactured and packaged? If so, it's likely that it's properly
wired. Was it home-made or made by someone in a computer shop? If
so, there's a good chance that it's not properly wired.

>I tried the "\\computer" command. The results were:
>
>- PC1 and PC2 both work with their own name and ip address.
>
>- PC1 fails with the PC2 name and ip address.
>
>- PC2 fails with the PC1 name and works with the PC1 ip address.

If the computers run XP Service Pack 2, see whether the Windows
Firewall is enabled. If it is:

1. Be sure that "Don't allow exceptions" is un-checked.

2. Click the Exceptions tab and make sure that "File and Printer
Sharing" is checked.

Make sure that there isn't a firewall program blocking access on
either computer. Some antivirus programs have a built-in firewall
component that isn't obvious. Look for programs from Norton, Panda,
Sygate, McAfee, ZoneAlarm, eTrust, etc.

>I checked the Computer Browser, both are running.
>
>I checked the NetBIOS over TCP/IP option, both are set.

It's important to set NetBIOS over TCP/IP to "Enabled", not to
"Default".
>
>Additional suggestions? thanks in advance.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Congratulations, with your expert guidance I've been able to track down the
last problem.

PC1 was running Norton AntiVirus, is ok.
PC2 (new machine) was running PCcillin. The PCcillin default appears to
install a personal firewall. When I disabled the personal firewall, I can
see the disks and things look ok so far. I should've caught this after your
earlier responses, sorry about the delay.

I also bumped the LAN speed from 10 mbps to 100 mbps on PC1, then PC2
recognized the increase and bumped it's speed to 100 mbps also. Outstanding.

In summary (for anybody else's reference), I did the following:
- ran the Network wizard and specified a workgroup with no ISP
- set the "NetBIOS over TCP/IP" LAN option to "enabled"
- ensure the Windows firewall is disabled for the LANs
- ensure any 3rd party sw firewall (ie norton, pccillin, etc) is disabled

thanks again for the help and a big atta-boy.

In article <E8055E9B-800B-4550-BCCA-(E-Mail Removed)>,
"Alan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>>thanks for the suggestions.
>>>
>>>I read thru the info on www.careyholzman.com, could not find anything that
>>>would fix the problem.
>>
>>That site claims to "Fix ALL Windows Networking Problems", but almost
>>nothing on it applies to Windows XP, and it doesn't mention numerous
>>common Windows XP networking problems.
>>
>>>I found the 10 vs 100 mbps comment during a google search. My older pc
>>>default value was 100 mbps, the newer pc was 10 mbps. The older pc has a
>>>config option to set the speed to 10 mbps so I changed it. I did not see a
>>>speed option on the newer pc. If I can get this connection to work, I'd like
>>>to bump it to 100 mbps in the future. My cable is new.
>>
>>There's a lot of misinformation on the Internet. A properly wired
>>crossover cable works fine at 100 mbps. Was the cable professionally
>>manufactured and packaged? If so, it's likely that it's properly
>>wired. Was it home-made or made by someone in a computer shop? If
>>so, there's a good chance that it's not properly wired.
>>
>>>I tried the "\\computer" command. The results were:
>>>
>>>- PC1 and PC2 both work with their own name and ip address.
>>>
>>>- PC1 fails with the PC2 name and ip address.
>>>
>>>- PC2 fails with the PC1 name and works with the PC1 ip address.
>>
>>If the computers run XP Service Pack 2, see whether the Windows
>>Firewall is enabled. If it is:
>>
>>1. Be sure that "Don't allow exceptions" is un-checked.
>>
>>2. Click the Exceptions tab and make sure that "File and Printer
>>Sharing" is checked.
>>
>>Make sure that there isn't a firewall program blocking access on
>>either computer. Some antivirus programs have a built-in firewall
>>component that isn't obvious. Look for programs from Norton, Panda,
>>Sygate, McAfee, ZoneAlarm, eTrust, etc.
>>
>>>I checked the Computer Browser, both are running.
>>>
>>>I checked the NetBIOS over TCP/IP option, both are set.
>>
>>It's important to set NetBIOS over TCP/IP to "Enabled", not to
>>"Default".
>>>
>>>Additional suggestions? thanks in advance.
>
>Congratulations, with your expert guidance I've been able to track down the
>last problem.
>
>PC1 was running Norton AntiVirus, is ok.
>PC2 (new machine) was running PCcillin. The PCcillin default appears to
>install a personal firewall. When I disabled the personal firewall, I can
>see the disks and things look ok so far. I should've caught this after your
>earlier responses, sorry about the delay.
>
>I also bumped the LAN speed from 10 mbps to 100 mbps on PC1, then PC2
>recognized the increase and bumped it's speed to 100 mbps also. Outstanding.
>
>In summary (for anybody else's reference), I did the following:
>- ran the Network wizard and specified a workgroup with no ISP
>- set the "NetBIOS over TCP/IP" LAN option to "enabled"
>- ensure the Windows firewall is disabled for the LANs
>- ensure any 3rd party sw firewall (ie norton, pccillin, etc) is disabled
>
>thanks again for the help and a big atta-boy.

You're welcome, Alan. I'm glad that my suggestions helped you solve
the computer access problem and that you've got the high-speed
connection working.

It's OK to enable the Windows Firewall on a LAN, provided that you
also enable the exception for File and Printer Sharing.

You can enable most 3rd party firewalls, provided that you configure
them to recognize the local area network as a trusted zone.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

> >I checked the NetBIOS over TCP/IP option, both are set.
>
> It's important to set NetBIOS over TCP/IP to "Enabled", not to
> "Default".

I am having a similar problem as Alan. I am connecting two computers (both
WinXPPro) via a crossover cable. I am up to the point that I can ping each
computer via the IP address but not via name. I have read that this means
that I do not have the NetBIOS over TCP/IP option set to Enabled, but where
do I find this option. (i.e, is it under the control panel?).

Also I ran ipconfig/all & one computer (XPLaptop) reports a "mixed" node
type while the other computer (XP PC) reports an "unknown" node type.

I also ran the registry editor and opened this key:
HLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netbt\Parameters
and these values were not present:
NodeType
DhcpNodeType

Any advice (other than don't use a crossover cable) would be appreciated.