Can't share files all of a sudden

[Sheila]

I have 2 XP Pro SP 3 computers connected via a router. Networking worked
fine until I moved both computers into a different building. Now both of
them access the internet without a problem, but neither of them see each
other. I re-ran the Network Setup Wizard on each of them, but it made no
difference.

The weird thing is that in My Network Places, each computer shows up but
under "Computer", it says "unknown". At one point tonight, both computers
recognized each other and the shared files, but shortly afterwards, both
lost each other again, and I haven't been able to get them to see each other
again.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,
Sheila

 

[Bob Lin \(MS-MVP\)]

It could be the computer browser issue. any error if running net view
command?

--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com

 

[Jack-MVP]

Hi
Computers are Not aware of Buildings, but they are aware of External Network
Environment changes.
You need to know form Network perspective what changed between the previous
setting and the current one.
Using the Setup wizard on top of a current configuration many time makes the
situating worse, you should switch to manual configuration
Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local
traffic.
If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off,
and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your current Network IP numbers
on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party
Firewall instructions.
General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Sheila]

Although I can ping both computers, net view gives error 53 - can't find the
network path for the other computer. It was successful for the host
computer. I did check that the computer name is correct, and that there are
no problems with Windows XP on the other computer and that the router is
operational. (It must be since the internet connects without problems.)

How can I fix the error?

Thanks,
Sheila

 

[Sheila]

Jack,

I use Sunbelt Personal Firewall and have made all the necessary changes to
it (via instructions from Sunbelt). Also, I have turned off Windows
Firewall on each computer.

Upon moving into the new building, we ran new co-ax cable from the satellite
dish to the modem. That is the only change we made, and the internet works
perfectly on both computers. If I messed up using the Setup wizard too
much, how can I undo that?

Thanks,
Sheila

 

[Bob Lin \(MS-MVP\)]

system error 53 could be name resolution issue or firewall issue. For
troubleshooting 3rd party security software issue, try clean boot. Or this
search result may help.
System Errors
VPN Case Study - Can ping VPN server but receive System error 53 using
net use. Case Study - System Error 53 - The network path was not found. ...
www.chicagotech.net/systemerrors.htm


--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com

 

[Jack-MVP]

Hi
Check the current IP scheme and make sure that the firewall trusted zone is
corresponding to the current scheme.
These page provides more detailed info about configuring sharing,
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

 

[Sheila]

Jack,

I read the file sharing information, and have disabled simple file sharing.
I am logging on as administrator and don't need user accounts for these
computers. As far as I can tell, I have followed all the suggestions in the
articles (other than creating user accounts).

At one point tonight, I disabled the firewall on both computers, and from my
main computer, I was able to connect to the other computer - for about 5
minutes, and then not again. Same message about not being able to find the
path.

I don't understand why a perfectly working network suddenly stopped working.
It would seem that I had all the correct settings and hadn't changed any of
them.

I even tried booting with Safe Mode with Networking, and that didn't work
either.

Sheila

 

[Sheila]

Bob,

I tried booting into Safe Mode with Networking, but that didn't help. I
enabled NetBIOS over TCP/IP, turned off the firewall on both computers,
checked that file and print share was enabled on both computers, made sure
that client for ms networks was enabled on both computers, made sure I was
using the correct name, and anything else I could think of. At one point
when I turned off the firewall, for about 5 minutes, the local computer saw
the remote computer and the files and printer was available. But then that
stopped and I couldn't get it to see it again. On the remote computer, I
haven't been able to get it to allow me to even open "View Workgroup
Computers". On the main computer, it does open and show me the two
computers, but errs out when I double click on the remote computer.

Very frustrating!

Sheila

 

[Sheila]

Problem solved - the computers were not being registered on the router's DNS
server. When I configured my main computer to use h-node name resolution,
the others were able to see it.

The solution was given to me by an administrator on Woody's lounge.

In case this helps anyone else....

Sheila