Adding a new computer for file and printer sharing

[Dean]

I'm having trouble with is adding a new computer to a workgroup that was/is
already working. This is for file sharing and to share one printer which is
connected to a host computer.

I tried creating another disc from the host computer and played it onto the
old computers and the new computer and the new computer even recognized the
workgroup name ("mshome", or is that just a default name that it is
echoing). It seemed like everything worked. But when I go to "my network
places" on the new computer, it is not seeing the other computers, nor does
it see the printer when I try to print. Any idea what could be wrong?

The only think I noticed is, that, as I reinstall the CD (I think it's
"networksetup" or some name like that that's created from the host) on each
of the other old computers, it asks if I want to create a CD at the end.
Since these are not the host, I assume I don't need to save a new file with
each old computer, in turn, re-included. I assume that the one created on
the host computer should work for all of them right? So, I just say finish
the wizard.

In any event, the three existing computers are still all seeing each other
fine - it's the new one that can't seem to join the workgroup. Any ideas?

Dean

 

[Vincent Lape]

go to command line and enter the following commands:
arp -d *
ipconfig /flushdns

from the start bar, use search, choose computers or people and type in the
machine names. If you see them all should be ok, if not you have some config
issues on the network

Vincent Lape

 

[Dean]

I'm sorry but I need you to talk down to me a little:

I don't know what the "command line" is. I tried typing your commands after
hitting start, then run - is that the same thing?

The first command didn't seem to do anything. On the second command it said
it did not recognize it.

Also, I now notice that the new computer cannot see a printer connected to
the router as well. Is the router probably the common culprit in all this?

Thanks!
Dean

 

[Dean]

I am guessing that I should type cmd, then enter, in the run box, and then
issue these commands within the window that pops up. Is that right?
Actually, I now notice that I also cannot see a printer directly connected
to the router either and I cannot ping the host computer associated with the
shared printer. Every other computer in the router is fully functional.
This computer can access the internet, but apparently nothing else, through
that router. It is one of two identical new computers I just bought from
Dell, and hooked up wirelessly, and the other one is seeing everything
through the router without any problem. After striking out, HP tells me to
call Netgear, then Netgear assures me, if I can get the internet access,
then the problem isn't with the router - it must be this one computer,
somehow blocking out the other communications with the router, or, at least,
the another computers in the workgroup, since all other computers are
sharing fine. It is a one of two brand new computers, this one has its
firewall now disabled, and AVG antivirus temporarily disabled.

I have disabled windows firewalls and my AVG antivirus, but it has not
helped. Should I still try your commands?

Anybody have any ideas?

Dean

 

[Dean]

Just an update, apparently, only this one wireless computer was getting a
signal from a neighbor (LINKSYS, not my netgear).After choosing netgear, I
was able to reinstall the printer connected to the router and gain assess to
it.

I am still having trouble with my workgroup. An icon now appears but it
says I don't have access and may not have permission and I note that, from
my host, I cannot access either of the two new (and only wireless)
computers. How do you set up permission in a workgroup - I didn't see any
such settings when I reinstalled it. To make things more difficult, on the
one wireless that initially had the problems, it seems that the windows
firewall keeps re-instating itself - how can it do this - could it happen
when I rerun the CD created by the host (for the workgroup) onto this
computer (which hasn't helped gain access, by the way)?

Thanks!
Dean

 

[Dean]

OK, someone at HP finally helped me solve the problem. I will document the solution in case anyone else would be helped by it.



The network setup (workgroup) wizard just doesn't seem to cut it sometimes, perhaps when you're adding new computers to an existing workgroup! If you have these problems (for every pair of computers that can't see each other, or just one that can't see the other):



First, make sure you have the IP addresses of each computer (and shared printer), using cmd in the run box, then typing ipconfig. On computer #1, go to start, then run, then type cmd (command for ME computers). Then, ping the other computer. Hopefully, you will not get timed out, but get four replies. If you do get timed out, then your problem is different, though probably easy to solve (loose cable in router, etc).



Then, go to computer #2, and ping computer #1.



Then go back to computer #1, go to start, then run, then type the other computer's address with two backslashes in front. It should open up the shared contents of the other computer. Find the shared folder you want, and click on it, maybe open a sample file to make sure you have access. It appears that you must open that shared folder for the system to 'recognize the connection'. I tried it, multiple times, without doing so, and it did not 'take'.



Now go to computer #2, and repeat the paragraph above using #1's address.



Now, check My Network Places and you should see it accessible.



Repeat this for all "pairs" of computers that aren't seeing one another



For the shared printer, ping the host and, when you see the shared resources (as noted above for the shared files), choose the printer you want, and right click and choose connect. Then right click to properties and print a test page. You may have to close out and access the printer via printers and faxes to do this, not sure why.