Disconnected Network Drive

[kojaks43]

I have an HP notebook using WinXP Media Center. I also have a netgear
router, and an old, old tower. All three are connected. However, when I
want to access the Tower, while the icon is visible in My Computer, it is
always Disconnected. I have to click on the "Tower" icon and it connects.

I can not imagine that is the way it is supposed to work. I would think the
connections are active all the time.

I am sure I have done something wrong when I mapped the computers, but I am
too much of a rookie to know what.

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

k

 

[Guest]

1. with command prompt type ipconfig
2. chek if all have same Subnet Mask?
3. chek if All have series IP Address?
4. in control panel - SYSTEM - COMPUTER NAME - set the same workgroup.

Yanto Asnawi

 

[kojaks43]

microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web

Thanks Yanto. I will do this. It will not be easy as the tower does not
have the Monitor/Mouse/Keyboard attached. I use the tower as additional
storage and a link for the laptop to connect to an old favorite laser
printer I have. I have the Monitor/Mouse/Keyboard, but it is a drag to have
to connect it. I'll reconnect when I do monthly housekeeping on the tower
and do your suggestion.

Thanks again
k

 

[Guest]

I can not imagine that is the way it is supposed to work. I would think the
connections are active all the time.

Actually, No. On the non-server versions, shares are disconnected after
15min if no activity. They should in principle reconnect as soon as you
access them again, but sometimes this doesn't work correctly.

There is a registry fix, which needs to be applied to the 'server' computer.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/297684

 

[kojaks43]

1. with command prompt type ipconfig
2. chek if all have same Subnet Mask?
3. chek if All have series IP Address?
4. in control panel - SYSTEM - COMPUTER NAME - set the same workgroup.

Yanto Asnawi

I sent this message earlier and got this response. I was able to connect
the mouse/keyboard/monitor to the old tower. I typed ipconfig at the Run
prompt. The DOS screen popped up for a microsecond and disappeared. IT
does not seem to be opened anywhere on the computer. I could not do lines 2
and 3 in Yanto Asnawi response. I did instruction 4, but the original
problem still exists and that is the tower disconnects from the router.
Any idea why the command prompt does not open the window and keep it
opened???
Thanks k

 

[kojaks43]

I sent this message earlier and got this response. I was able to connect
the mouse/keyboard/monitor to the old tower. I typed ipconfig at the Run
prompt. The DOS screen popped up for a microsecond and disappeared. IT
does not seem to be opened anywhere on the computer. I could not do lines
2 and 3 in Yanto Asnawi response. I did instruction 4, but the original
problem still exists and that is the tower disconnects from the router.
Any idea why the command prompt does not open the window and keep it
opened???
Thanks k

 

[Chuck]

I sent this message earlier and got this response. I was able to connect
the mouse/keyboard/monitor to the old tower. I typed ipconfig at the Run
prompt. The DOS screen popped up for a microsecond and disappeared. IT
does not seem to be opened anywhere on the computer. I could not do lines
2 and 3 in Yanto Asnawi response. I did instruction 4, but the original
problem still exists and that is the tower disconnects from the router.
Any idea why the command prompt does not open the window and keep it
opened???
Thanks k

Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all" into the Command Window.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html

 

[kojaks43]

I am really embarrased.
Following your dirrections I got it to open.

NOW, the IP Address is one digit off from the laptop.
IP on the laptop ends 97, on the tower it ends 96.

How do I change the tower IP address to .97??

Thanks for your help/
k

 

[Chuck]

I am really embarrased.
Following your dirrections I got it to open.

NOW, the IP Address is one digit off from the laptop.
IP on the laptop ends 97, on the tower it ends 96.

How do I change the tower IP address to .97??

Thanks for your help/
k

Well, if you never get embarrassed by your computer, then you aren't learning
anything on it. I get embarrassed periodically. %-)

So, if you want to set the IP address manually, use the IP Properties wizard.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/08/manual-network-setup-procedures.html#General>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/08/manual-network-setup-procedures.html#General

 

[kojaks43]

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I went to your link and set the IPAddress on the tower to match the
IPAddress on the laptop. i.e. 192.168.1.97
When I was closing out of the window it started to complain that another
system was using the same address.

I clicked through and restarted the tower.

No joy with the Laptop recognizing the tower. It said it was disconnected.

When I tried to go into the network IP/TCP properties on the laptop, it said
"There is an IP Address conflict with another system on the network" Pretty
much the same thing the Tower was grousing about.

I tried to make all the setting the same. i.e. Gateway, IPAddress and
Computer Name. But no joy for me. the laptop can see the tower, but the
Tower is always disconnected. I have to click on the tower from the laptop
to connect it. It then works for a while and for some reason, known only to
the binary imp that lives in my computer, disconnects the tower from the
network.

I keep the tower solely to be able to access some of the tower's hard drive
files and to allow an old HP laserjet printer to print from the laptop.

Your help and guidance is greatly aprecisated.

k

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I went to your link and set the IPAddress on the tower to match the
IPAddress on the laptop. i.e. 192.168.1.97
When I was closing out of the window it started to complain that another
system was using the same address.

I clicked through and restarted the tower.

No joy with the Laptop recognizing the tower. It said it was disconnected.

When I tried to go into the network IP/TCP properties on the laptop, it said
"There is an IP Address conflict with another system on the network" Pretty
much the same thing the Tower was grousing about.

I tried to make all the setting the same. i.e. Gateway, IPAddress and
Computer Name. But no joy for me. the laptop can see the tower, but the
Tower is always disconnected. I have to click on the tower from the laptop
to connect it. It then works for a while and for some reason, known only to
the binary imp that lives in my computer, disconnects the tower from the
network.

I keep the tower solely to be able to access some of the tower's hard drive
files and to allow an old HP laserjet printer to print from the laptop.

Your help and guidance is greatly aprecisated.

k

That leaves you 2 choices.
1) Try another IP address.
2) Use a dynamic address. How does everything connect? What does the network
look like? Don't make us guess.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/background-information-useful-in.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/background-information-useful-in.html

 

[kojaks43]

Here goes! I use the Laptop as my "main" computer. I use the old Tower
simply as a device to access and old HP Laser Printer, and for additional
storage on the Tower's Hard Drive. For some reason, the old Tower always
"disconnects" I can double click on the icon and it will reestablish the
connection, but I just do not think that is how it was to work.

The following is ipconfig of Laptop. It uses XP Media Center.
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : HPDV8000
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : launchmodem.comEthernet adapter
Local Area Connection:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast
Ethernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-16-D4-05-5C-9E

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:
Connection-specific
DNS Suffix . : launchmodem.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-14-A5-A1-97-29
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.97
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254

192.168.1.254
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, November 17, 2006 12:08:51 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, November 18, 2006 12:08:51 PM

This is the ipcong of the old Tower. It uses Windows 2000
Windows 2000 IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : micro-4c44c87b1
Primary DNS Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : launchmodem.com

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : launchmodem.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys LNE100TX(v5) Fast Ethernet
Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-5A-8F-12-85
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.96
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
192.168.1.254
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, November 17, 2006 12:29:53 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, November 18, 2006 12:29:53 PM

When I tried to change the IP Address on the Tower (192.168.1.96) to match
the Laptop (192.168.1.97), the Tower said there was already "something" with
the same address. When I did ipconfig of the Tower it showed all 0's where
address/mask/server numbers once lived.
When I told Tower to recognize address/mask/server on it's own, and then ran
ipconfig again, it showed the .96 on the Tower's IP Address.

Both computers are connected via a Netgear WPN824 RangeMax Router.
If you need each OS's service pack number I need for you to help me find it.
I am really a virgin at all this.

Chuck, I appreciate the time and effort you have taken to teach me.
k

 

[Chuck]

Here goes! I use the Laptop as my "main" computer. I use the old Tower
simply as a device to access and old HP Laser Printer, and for additional
storage on the Tower's Hard Drive. For some reason, the old Tower always
"disconnects" I can double click on the icon and it will reestablish the
connection, but I just do not think that is how it was to work.

The following is ipconfig of Laptop. It uses XP Media Center.
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : HPDV8000
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : launchmodem.comEthernet adapter
Local Area Connection:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast
Ethernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-16-D4-05-5C-9E

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:
Connection-specific
DNS Suffix . : launchmodem.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-14-A5-A1-97-29
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.97
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254

192.168.1.254
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, November 17, 2006 12:08:51 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, November 18, 2006 12:08:51 PM

This is the ipcong of the old Tower. It uses Windows 2000
Windows 2000 IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : micro-4c44c87b1
Primary DNS Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : launchmodem.com

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : launchmodem.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys LNE100TX(v5) Fast Ethernet
Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-5A-8F-12-85
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.96
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
192.168.1.254
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, November 17, 2006 12:29:53 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, November 18, 2006 12:29:53 PM

When I tried to change the IP Address on the Tower (192.168.1.96) to match
the Laptop (192.168.1.97), the Tower said there was already "something" with
the same address. When I did ipconfig of the Tower it showed all 0's where
address/mask/server numbers once lived.
When I told Tower to recognize address/mask/server on it's own, and then ran
ipconfig again, it showed the .96 on the Tower's IP Address.

Both computers are connected via a Netgear WPN824 RangeMax Router.
If you need each OS's service pack number I need for you to help me find it.
I am really a virgin at all this.

Chuck, I appreciate the time and effort you have taken to teach me.
k

Glad to help, K.

Those ipconfig logs look good. Two computers, same subnet, automatic address
assignments.

So what's the problem here? Is the disconnected drives the only one? Do you
connect otherwise? Disconnected drives (timeouts) are normal with Windows
Networking. You can change the timeout period if you like.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/server-availability-affected-by.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/server-availability-affected-by.html

And why were you changing the address of the tower to match the laptop? Each
computer needs a unique address.

 

[kojaks43]

Chuck, to answer your question. Yes, the disconnected drive is the problem.
It means that whenever I wish to print a file, I must also remember to go to
My Computer, click on the old Tower, close My Computer then ask it to print.
It just seems so odd that my laptop can not see my old tower, or print from
the old Tower by just asking the file to print.

That is, when I try to print a file when using the laptop, I select the HP
laserjet printer from the print menu. That HP is hard wired to the old
Tower. If I do not go through the steps above it will not print because the
Tower has disconnected. It just seems like a lot of steps to go through to
just print something.

For some reason, I sort of remember printing files at my old company and I
did not have to do all of this. There were two printers I could access.
One I used all the time, one I used once in a very long time. But no
matter, I could print to whatever device anytime I wanted. Now it has been
2 years since I worked at that company, and at my advanced years, my memory
could have faded, I just do not remember having to go through so many steps
to print a file.

Your other question, why make the addresses the same...if you look at the
early part of this thread, someone else advised that I make the addresses
the same.

k

 

[kojaks43]

Your other question, why make the addresses the same...if you look at the
early part of this thread, someone else advised that I make the addresses
the same.

My bad. I just reread the earleir post. It said to make sure the IP
address was series. Not the same.
Sorry
k

 

[Chuck]

Chuck, to answer your question. Yes, the disconnected drive is the problem.
It means that whenever I wish to print a file, I must also remember to go to
My Computer, click on the old Tower, close My Computer then ask it to print.
It just seems so odd that my laptop can not see my old tower, or print from
the old Tower by just asking the file to print.

That is, when I try to print a file when using the laptop, I select the HP
laserjet printer from the print menu. That HP is hard wired to the old
Tower. If I do not go through the steps above it will not print because the
Tower has disconnected. It just seems like a lot of steps to go through to
just print something.

For some reason, I sort of remember printing files at my old company and I
did not have to do all of this. There were two printers I could access.
One I used all the time, one I used once in a very long time. But no
matter, I could print to whatever device anytime I wanted. Now it has been
2 years since I worked at that company, and at my advanced years, my memory
could have faded, I just do not remember having to go through so many steps
to print a file.

Your other question, why make the addresses the same...if you look at the
early part of this thread, someone else advised that I make the addresses
the same.

Well, the AutoDisconnect function is server based, and it's common to all
servers running Windows XP, or another client OS.
Any file, print, named pipe, or mail slot session that does not have any
activity is automatically disconnected after the AutoDisconnect time has
expired; the default for the AutoDisconnect time is 15 minutes.

It's possible that the folks at work tuned their servers to disconnect after
longer than 15 minutes. It's possible too that the servers at your old company
were using a server OS, not Windows XP.

Anyway, you CAN lengthen the timeout period, if you like. But be careful, read
my article AND the Microsoft article.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/server-availability-affected-by.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/server-availability-affected-by.html
<http://support.microsoft.com/?id=314882>
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=314882

 

[kojaks43]

Well, the AutoDisconnect function is server based, and it's common to all
servers running Windows XP, or another client OS.
Any file, print, named pipe, or mail slot session that does not have any
activity is automatically disconnected after the AutoDisconnect time has
expired; the default for the AutoDisconnect time is 15 minutes.

Chuck, I guess it does not make a difference in the AutoDisconnect function
if I am using two computers. i.e. not a computer and a server.

A new question. If the tower disconnects after 15 minutes, does that mean
the internet connection to the tower is also disconnected? I ask because I
do not use the tower for either e-mail or web surfing. However, since it is
connected to the router, I am concerned with vulnerability from outside
attacks.

I do not wish to delete my e-mail or browser from the Tower just yet. In
your opinion, is that a mistake? i.e. am I looking for outside attacks?

Your guidance is appreciated.

k

 

[kojaks43]

Here is a new wrinkle.

Over an hour ago I asked the HP laser printer, the one tied to the Tower, to
print a document. I had to go to My Computer to reconnect the the Tower to
the network.

I did not realize that I did not close My Computer.

I then opened a second My Computer window and it showed the Tower was still
connected. Well after an hour had passed since the last print request.

When I tried to print the exact same file, it printed. I did not have to
reconnect the Tower.

So, just leave My Computer opened and it will not disconnect???

This is more than my tiny brain can handle.

k

 

[Chuck]

Here is a new wrinkle.

Over an hour ago I asked the HP laser printer, the one tied to the Tower, to
print a document. I had to go to My Computer to reconnect the the Tower to
the network.

I did not realize that I did not close My Computer.

I then opened a second My Computer window and it showed the Tower was still
connected. Well after an hour had passed since the last print request.

When I tried to print the exact same file, it printed. I did not have to
reconnect the Tower.

So, just leave My Computer opened and it will not disconnect???

This is more than my tiny brain can handle.

k

If the server (other computer) is providing a mapped share to the client, and if
the client automatically updates the contents of My Computer, then that prevents
a timeout. No timeout = no disconnect.

 

[Chuck]

Chuck, I guess it does not make a difference in the AutoDisconnect function
if I am using two computers. i.e. not a computer and a server.

A new question. If the tower disconnects after 15 minutes, does that mean
the internet connection to the tower is also disconnected? I ask because I
do not use the tower for either e-mail or web surfing. However, since it is
connected to the router, I am concerned with vulnerability from outside
attacks.

I do not wish to delete my e-mail or browser from the Tower just yet. In
your opinion, is that a mistake? i.e. am I looking for outside attacks?

If you're inside a NAT router, you're pretty safe, from IP based attacks anyway.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html

If the tower disconnects the client, it's disconnecting a file, print, named
pipe, or mail slot session. These are all local devices, and have nothing to do
with your Internet service.

Any computer running a Windows operating system, and providing shared data, is
acting as a server. This is irregardless of whether it is running a server OS.

You will gain nothing by deleting anything from the tower, email or browser.
And disconnecting from the Internet is not providing added security - it's
another form of security by obscurity.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/security-by-obscurity.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/security-by-obscurity.html