3 XP HOME COMPUTERS CAN NOT SEE EACH OTHER

[Didier]

Hello,

I have a small set-up :

3 PC running XP HOME (NOT PRO !!!)

1 SWITCH ( 8 OUTPUTS)

NO ROUTER

NO INTERNET

Computer 1 is called xphome1 , fix IP 192.168.254.1 / MASK 255.255.255.0

Computer 2 is called xphome2 , fix IP 192.168.254.2 / MASK 255.255.255.0

Computer 3 is called xphome3 , fix IP 192.168.254.3 / MASK 255.255.255.0

The NETWORK GROUP for the 3 computers are called LABO1

I installed the network in the "OLD WAY" without the WIZARD.

On computer 1 I have a folder that I have shared to the rest of the network.

Now come the problem , when I ping from and to all the computers with the IP
192.168.254.1 or 2 or 3, no problem.

If I ping xphome1 or xphome2 or xphome3 , it does not work, It only see it
self , I mean , on computer xphome1 I can ping xphome1 , no problem.

But on xphome2 I can not ping xphome1.

I wait 1 hour to be sure the NETBIOS is UP TO DATE , I did several shutdowns
even a power off of the switch , but still no reaction.

To help my client I have MAP the drivers like this :

\\192.168.254.1\Doc1 (this work well )

instead of \\xphome1\Doc1

Do one of you has seen this before ?

Is the WIZARD doing more than what I do ?

Today it is not a BIG problem, but in the future we will have INTERNET to a
ROUTER and a DYNAMIC IP (DHCP SERVER in the ROUTER) , this is the reason why
I would like to make it work ASAP.

I hope you can help me,

Best Regards,

Didier.

 

[Ben Cervoni]

Hello:

The first problem you have is that Windows XP Home is not meant for
networking computers together, that is your biggest problem ( I suggest
upgrading to XP Pro). The next is that in order to Ping a computer by it's
name you need some method of name resolution, A WINS server is the best, but
in your situation you will have to setup the LMhosts file (located on each
local computer), which a static name mapping file, mapping name to IP
address (look in microsoft knowledge base on setting up an LMhosts file).
then each computer will have to be setup on using the LMHosts.