Computers stopped sharing

[marcew]

I have 3 computers: 1 desktop xp, 1 laptop xp and one desktop win98. I also
have one ethernet connection to the TV. Until about 2 days ago everything
was working ok. I haven't made any changes (deliberately). The desktops are
both connected to the router with ethernet. The Laptop is wireless.
From the desktop xp and the laptop I can ping the win98 and TV ok. From
the win98 I can ping only the tv. I can't ping the desktop xp from either of
the other computers and I can't ping the laptop from either of the other
computers.
When I go to My Network Places on the laptop it shows the laptop and the
win98 shared files and where the desktop xp name should be it shows "Unknown"
and under "Unknown" it shows the shared folders but I can't accesss them.
When I go to My Network Places on the xp desktop I see the xp desktop and
win98 shared folders but I don't see anything for the laptop.
Any ideas what I might have done to cause this and how I can fix this?
Thanks, Marc

 

[Jack-MVP]

Hi
Sadly with happen the reason or the excuse are of little relevance, you have
to go over the sharing setting of the computer and make sure that they are
set correctly.
Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local
traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should
be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers
on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party
Firewall instructions.
General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
<http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx>
Windows XP File Sharing -
<http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040>
Printer Sharing XP -
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx>
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357>
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120>
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[marcew]

Thanks Jack,
I checked the settings on my 3rd party firewall and they did not have the
Network IP numbers listed in the Trusted Zone on th 2 xp systems. I fixed
that and everything is ok now. I still don't know what changed in the last
few days but it's working now.
Thanks again.
Marc

 

[Jack-MVP]

Hi
Unfortunately these days many software package that are installed by users
assumes that it is the only software on the computer and that its
programmers knows what best for you. The nice ones disclose what they do,
but most do not care.
In addition as you probably know Internet surfing is Not about what you see
on the screen, each page before displaying it self loads "Tone" of files,
pictures, ads, 3rd party URLs, and other stuff. Some of it is published in
a very sloppy way and even without intended malice can have an effect on the
computer.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

 

[Jamie Neve]

Yes, you need to see if all devices are set up correctley. It may help if
they all had the same settings but this depends on the cicumstances.

Jamie