Client Computer not in My Network Places, lost printer sharing

[Glenn]

I have Windows XP, SP2 on my host computer which connected to the
internet via cable modem, and my other computer (client) running
Window 98 SE is connected to the internet via wireless router. When I
set up my network, initially with network wizard, everything was fine.
Recently, the client could not file share or print via the host. I
tried running the wizard again but near the end of the set-up an error
was encounter and it could not finish. I checked everything manually
and tried to look for solutions by going to Microsoft;'s web site,
jsifaq website, etc, but could not solve the problem.

Here's what I have so far. The computers can ping each other, and the
client computer, although not seen in My Network Places, is there when
I search for it within the folder. I cannot create a shortcut here,
however. I can connect to the client by Start/run/"\\computer name"
or Start/run/"\\internet address" and can still do file sharing. From
the client computer, I cannot identify the host computer with
Start/run/"\\host computer name" but I can with Start/run/"\\internet
address". The printer appears here but won't print. Also, I can use
Start/run/"\\computer name"\"Printer name" and the printer will show,
but not work.

As to why this problem occurred suddenly, I'll never know. Perhaps
some SP 2 update. But Windows firewall remains up with the file and
printing exception.

Any suggestions on how I can make the icon appear in My Network Places
and make printing work from the client computer would be very much
appreciated.

Glenn

 

[Chuck]

I have Windows XP, SP2 on my host computer which connected to the
internet via cable modem, and my other computer (client) running
Window 98 SE is connected to the internet via wireless router. When I
set up my network, initially with network wizard, everything was fine.
Recently, the client could not file share or print via the host. I
tried running the wizard again but near the end of the set-up an error
was encounter and it could not finish. I checked everything manually
and tried to look for solutions by going to Microsoft;'s web site,
jsifaq website, etc, but could not solve the problem.

Here's what I have so far. The computers can ping each other, and the
client computer, although not seen in My Network Places, is there when
I search for it within the folder. I cannot create a shortcut here,
however. I can connect to the client by Start/run/"\\computer name"
or Start/run/"\\internet address" and can still do file sharing. From
the client computer, I cannot identify the host computer with
Start/run/"\\host computer name" but I can with Start/run/"\\internet
address". The printer appears here but won't print. Also, I can use
Start/run/"\\computer name"\"Printer name" and the printer will show,
but not work.

As to why this problem occurred suddenly, I'll never know. Perhaps
some SP 2 update. But Windows firewall remains up with the file and
printing exception.

Any suggestions on how I can make the icon appear in My Network Places
and make printing work from the client computer would be very much
appreciated.

Glenn

Glenn,

There are two things to check for immediately, misconfigured / overlooked
firewalls, and registry setting restrictanonymous.
Misconfigured / overlooked firewalls:
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
Registry setting restrictanonymous:
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/restrictanonymous-and-your-server.html>

Also, if your LAN includes Windows 98 and XP together, you need to read about
the problem with the combination.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/windows-9x-9598me-and-browser.html>

Please let us know if any of these suggestions are of any help. What you learn
may help others in the future, and that's the purpose of these forums.

 

[Glenn]

Glenn,

There are two things to check for immediately, misconfigured / overlooked
firewalls, and registry setting restrictanonymous.
Misconfigured / overlooked firewalls:
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
Registry setting restrictanonymous:
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/restrictanonymous-and-your-server.html>

Also, if your LAN includes Windows 98 and XP together, you need to read about
the problem with the combination.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/windows-9x-9598me-and-browser.html>

Please let us know if any of these suggestions are of any help. What you learn
may help others in the future, and that's the purpose of these forums.

I appreciate the suggestions very much. I tried all of them but I
still have the same problem. Unless there are any other ideas, I may
just have to live with this or reformat the hard drive.

Glenn

 

[Chuck]

I appreciate the suggestions very much. I tried all of them but I
still have the same problem. Unless there are any other ideas, I may
just have to live with this or reformat the hard drive.

Glenn

Glenn,

Did you really try all of them in 5 hours? I doubt it.

Which computer will you reformat? Windows 98 or XP? As long as you have a
mixed LAN, the problem will be there, though you may or may not see the
symptoms. You have to understand the problem first.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial.html>
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html>

It's your LAN, you may live with the problem if you wish. Or ask questions, as
you started.

 

[Glenn]

Glenn,

Did you really try all of them in 5 hours? I doubt it.

Which computer will you reformat? Windows 98 or XP? As long as you have a
mixed LAN, the problem will be there, though you may or may not see the
symptoms. You have to understand the problem first.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/solving-network-problems-tutorial.html>
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always-see.html>

It's your LAN, you may live with the problem if you wish. Or ask questions, as
you started.

Chuck,

I decided to try System restore. I went back to a date in June. I
started to restore, then a message said that it could not complete the
job. After the computer restarted, the client computer could now be
seen in My Network Places. The printer was also able to be shared. I
have no idea why this worked. I even did a windows update and
everything still works. Whatever the reason, I'm happy.

Glenn

 

[Chuck]

Chuck,

I decided to try System restore. I went back to a date in June. I
started to restore, then a message said that it could not complete the
job. After the computer restarted, the client computer could now be
seen in My Network Places. The printer was also able to be shared. I
have no idea why this worked. I even did a windows update and
everything still works. Whatever the reason, I'm happy.

Glenn

Thanks for letting us know, Glenn. Stay safe.