Network problem

[Guest]

Hello,
I am experiencing some problems regarding a small network between 2
computers. Both computers run Windows XP Home. One of the two is connected
through a router to internet, the router itself is a hub. The second computer
connects wiressly to the router and there is a network between them with
shared folders.
Last 15 days, for unknown reasons to me, the shared folders are not visible
the way they were. I used to open Windows Explorer and click on my network
places, that would immediately bring all the shared folders in the 2nd
computer. Well, not anymore! Now, I have to right click on my network places
(in windows explorer) and choose explore. When I do that, I see the entire
network, which I can expand, then I expand the Microsoft Windows Network, to
eventually see the workgroup that both computers share. Under that workgroup,
I can see the 2 computers and under the 2nd computers name, I can finally see
the shared folders.
Note that this is something I was not doing before, since all shared folders
used to appear as soon as I clicked on my network places, both 1st and 2nd
computers' shared folders.
This is not convenient for me and today checking on the computer names,
workgroup, even local IPs in case something was modified, I found no change
at all, except from discovering a new problem. The 2nd computer cannot print
on the shared printer of the 1st computer, while its able to access the
printer preferences!
I get a message from Word that there is a problem with the printer setup,
that I should check if the printer is online, if it can print a test page.
Well, it was fine up to now...Still, I cant find a way to reinstall the
drivers on the remote computer, so I delete the printer, then I reinstall it
in the remote computer by browsing on the shared printer. The problem
remains...

Is there a logical cause for all these problems? Starting from the first
problem, as it was the first noticeable and continuing to the printer
problem, is there a possible solution? Nothing at all has been altered from
the initial settings, yet I had to go manually add shared folders to my
network places so that I am not forced to go browse the entire network to
point to the computer containing the folders I am interested. I repeat,
before this problem appeared, I would only turn the sharing on in any folder
in the 2nd pc and it would immediately appear in my network places at the 1st
computer...

Anybody willing to help with a possible solution?
Thanks

 

[Chuck]

Hello,
I am experiencing some problems regarding a small network between 2
computers. Both computers run Windows XP Home. One of the two is connected
through a router to internet, the router itself is a hub. The second computer
connects wiressly to the router and there is a network between them with
shared folders.
Last 15 days, for unknown reasons to me, the shared folders are not visible
the way they were. I used to open Windows Explorer and click on my network
places, that would immediately bring all the shared folders in the 2nd
computer. Well, not anymore! Now, I have to right click on my network places
(in windows explorer) and choose explore. When I do that, I see the entire
network, which I can expand, then I expand the Microsoft Windows Network, to
eventually see the workgroup that both computers share. Under that workgroup,
I can see the 2 computers and under the 2nd computers name, I can finally see
the shared folders.
Note that this is something I was not doing before, since all shared folders
used to appear as soon as I clicked on my network places, both 1st and 2nd
computers' shared folders.
This is not convenient for me and today checking on the computer names,
workgroup, even local IPs in case something was modified, I found no change
at all, except from discovering a new problem. The 2nd computer cannot print
on the shared printer of the 1st computer, while its able to access the
printer preferences!
I get a message from Word that there is a problem with the printer setup,
that I should check if the printer is online, if it can print a test page.
Well, it was fine up to now...Still, I cant find a way to reinstall the
drivers on the remote computer, so I delete the printer, then I reinstall it
in the remote computer by browsing on the shared printer. The problem
remains...

Is there a logical cause for all these problems? Starting from the first
problem, as it was the first noticeable and continuing to the printer
problem, is there a possible solution? Nothing at all has been altered from
the initial settings, yet I had to go manually add shared folders to my
network places so that I am not forced to go browse the entire network to
point to the computer containing the folders I am interested. I repeat,
before this problem appeared, I would only turn the sharing on in any folder
in the 2nd pc and it would immediately appear in my network places at the 1st
computer...

Anybody willing to help with a possible solution?
Thanks

One of the most common causes of this problem would be a misconfigured or
overlooked personal firewall, or other security component. There are several
other possibilities too, and any might be the cause of your problem. Read this
article with an open mind.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html

Or look at "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all", from each computer, and
diagnose the problem. Read this article, and linked articles, and follow
instructions precisely (download browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp

 

[Guest]

Despite trying those tests, problem remains.
I repeat, because it maybe wasnt clear enough. I can browse shared folders
between the 2 computers. I just cant see my shares and the other pc shares in
"my network places". I can only see them after exploring (right click on my
network places-explore), clicking on entire network, then microsoft windows
network, then my workgroup name, thats when I get to see the names of the 2
computers and their shares under each computer name...
The main problem is that they dont initially appear in my network places...

Thanks

 

[Chuck]

Thanks

Despite trying those tests, problem remains.
I repeat, because it maybe wasnt clear enough. I can browse shared folders
between the 2 computers. I just cant see my shares and the other pc shares in
"my network places". I can only see them after exploring (right click on my
network places-explore), clicking on entire network, then microsoft windows
network, then my workgroup name, thats when I get to see the names of the 2
computers and their shares under each computer name...
The main problem is that they dont initially appear in my network places...

Well, the tests won't FIX the problem, they help us diagnose the problem.

You have a browser problem, caused by blocked SMBs. The problem is, SMBs can be
blocked by so many problems, so you have to diagnose the problem first.

If you can post the test outputs here, maybe the experts can find a problem or
two. Or at least see what to look at next.