Basic Workgroup Question

[L5]

I'm reposting this Q from the XP_general newsgroup because there hasn't
been a resolution there. The basic question is:

if you have 2 PCs (say 2 XPpro or and XPpro and a Win2k) connected to a
LAN to enable Internet access, where both CAN access the Internet and
can also ping each other, what more than setting both to the same
workgroup name is required for a workgroup to become active and to
permit file sharing?


WinXP Pro SP/1 all latest updates on both machines.

I am trying to connect two PCs via a network. I have used the Network
Setup
Wizard on both machines and included both in the same Workgroup.

I can ping either machine without problem.

I have enabled Simple File Sharing and disabled the ICF on both
machines.

When I go to My Network Places on either machine all I see is the
locally
shared folders.

When I go to "View workgroup computers" all I see is the local machine.

From the My Network Places window if I go to Tools > Map Network Drive >

Browse. I see other Workgroups under Microsoft Windows Network,
including
mine, but only the local machine is listed under my Workgroup. I get the

same result on either machine.

Can someone point me to the error of my ways? I hope my explanation is
clear.

Thanks....

 

[Robert L [MS-MVP]]

sounds like master browser issue. quoted from http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How do I know I have a browser problem

When you open My Network Places, the computer list you see is obtaining from
the master browser of your network. You have a master browser issue if you
have the following symptoms. 1) If you can ping a computer name, you can
search it, you can map it, but that computer doesn't show or take long time
to show up on My Network Places.
2) Net view command shows no lists or shows "System error 6118 has occurred.
The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available".
3) when clicking on Computers Near Me in My Network Places or workgroup name
in Entire Network, the following error message may appear: "Cannot Access
'Computers Near Me' " or "Workgroup is not accessible" errors.
4) when click workgroup name under Entire Network Places, you get "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 permission. The list server for this workgroup is not currently
available."
--
For more and other information, go to http://www.ChicagoTech.net


Don't send e-mail or reply to me except you need consulting services.
Posting on MS newsgroup will benefit all readers and you may get more help.

Robert Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN, Anti-Virus, Tips & Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I'm reposting this Q from the XP_general newsgroup because there hasn't
been a resolution there. The basic question is:

if you have 2 PCs (say 2 XPpro or and XPpro and a Win2k) connected to a
LAN to enable Internet access, where both CAN access the Internet and
can also ping each other, what more than setting both to the same
workgroup name is required for a workgroup to become active and to
permit file sharing?


WinXP Pro SP/1 all latest updates on both machines.

I am trying to connect two PCs via a network. I have used the Network
Setup
Wizard on both machines and included both in the same Workgroup.

I can ping either machine without problem.

I have enabled Simple File Sharing and disabled the ICF on both
machines.

When I go to My Network Places on either machine all I see is the
locally
shared folders.

When I go to "View workgroup computers" all I see is the local machine.

From the My Network Places window if I go to Tools > Map Network Drive >

Browse. I see other Workgroups under Microsoft Windows Network,
including
mine, but only the local machine is listed under my Workgroup. I get the

same result on either machine.

Can someone point me to the error of my ways? I hope my explanation is
clear.

Thanks....

Please reply to this message in the news group (not by E-mail) with
more information to help other people understand the problem.

You say that your computers can see workgroups other than your own.
What are the names of those workgroups? Have you ever created
workgroups by those names? If you click them, do they show you
someone else's computers?

Do your computers have public or private IP addresses? To see, right
click their LAN connections and click Status | Support. Private IP
addresses are in these ranges:

10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255
169.254.0.0 - 169.254.255.255
172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255
192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255

All other IP addresses are public.
--
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