Can't set up Network

[Mark Corbelli]

No matter how hard I try...

So here's the story. I have (had) a home network with three computers. My
desktop running XP pro has the internet connection. I have a NIC that
connects to the cable modem. I have a second NIC that connects to a switch
(or hub) but definetly not a router. The other two computers are a desktop
that is running WinMe and previously a laptop running WinMe. They connected
to the internet through the hub. All is well. So I go and buy a new laptop
for my daughter and it comes with XP home. I plug the Cat5 into the thing
and she has internet access instantly without any config on my part. So far
so good. But...trying to setup file and print sharing? No joy. I've tried a
bunch of things, some off Steve's website, and here's a list of what I
remember. I made sure the computer names and workgroup name is the same. I
turned off the Microsoft firewall. I made sure the usual protocols were in
place. I made sure all the drives and printers were shared. Probably a few
more things I can't think of right now. Anyway, right now, I can "see" her
computer but I can't gain access. She can't "see" mine at all, so I can't
get the shared printer going (the main reason I even care). I notice that my
computer has an IP address and hers has the automatic feature checked. Most
people apparently use routers, I had to be different. I'm wondering if my
unusual configuration makes the web sites (like Steve's) not as useful for
me because the advice is for those who use routers? I wonder if the problem
lies in the way my computer assigns IP addresses? In any case, I'm
definitely at a standstill until one of you can give me hope...

 

[Luke]

Hi
Before we go any further you may just want to look at the
following KB article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;308007
I know that you probably will have tried most of the
suggestions but just in case you haven't. If nothing
helps there then check that none of the network
connections have been bridged. A lot of people who have
had this problem have found that removing all protocols
and adding them back again have worked. Make sure that
you have added the NWLINK NetBIOS.
Let me know how you get on, Luke.

 

[Mark Corbelli]

I will try this but I will say before I start that both computers have a
bridge. I never noticed it before on my desktop but the laptop came with a
bridge because it also has a built in wireless network. On the laptop, when
I was checking on protocols for the "hardwire" network, I couldn't find any.
Then I clicked on the bridge and there they were. When I went back to my
desktop I noticed that it too had a bridge, but I never saw it before. I'm
wondering if it "grew" this bridge when in desperation I ran the Home
networking wizard. In any case, I never saw these bridges before and don't
pretend to know how they work. By the way, WindowsXP touts inself on how
easy network setup is. I don't mean to complain, but this is easy?

 

[Luke]

Hi,
You are quite right in saying that the networking
wizard is responsible for the bridge. I would advise
deleting the bridge. To do this;
1. Right-hand click on the bridge
2. Choose 'disable'
3. Right-hand click the bridge again
4. Choose 'delete'.
If you find that this makes the situation worse then
simply restore the bridge;
1. Hold down the 'Ctrl' key and click on both connections
that were previously bridged
2. Right-hand click and choose 'bridge connections'
Let me know how you do, Luke.