File sharing won't work

[Guest]

I have two XP Pro laptops and one XP Home desktop. I have them all on a LAN
(DLink router to DSL connection) and all computers can browse the Internet.
They are all set for Simple File Sharing. The two laptops can see each other
and share files but they can not see the desktop. The desktop sees the
laptops. However when I look at My Network Places on the desktop I can see
the MSHOME workgroup, but the desktop doesn't even list itself there (all
computers are set for the MSHOME workgroup). I have no firewall software on
any of the computers except Windows Firewall which has File sharing enabled,
although I have tried with the firewall disabled and got the same results.

Since the desktop doesn't even list itself in its own My Network Places for
MSHome, I believe my problem is in the desktop, but I'm out of ideas what the
problem may be.

Any ideas would be appreciated.?

 

[Chuck]

I have two XP Pro laptops and one XP Home desktop. I have them all on a LAN
(DLink router to DSL connection) and all computers can browse the Internet.
They are all set for Simple File Sharing. The two laptops can see each other
and share files but they can not see the desktop. The desktop sees the
laptops. However when I look at My Network Places on the desktop I can see
the MSHOME workgroup, but the desktop doesn't even list itself there (all
computers are set for the MSHOME workgroup). I have no firewall software on
any of the computers except Windows Firewall which has File sharing enabled,
although I have tried with the firewall disabled and got the same results.

Since the desktop doesn't even list itself in its own My Network Places for
MSHome, I believe my problem is in the desktop, but I'm out of ideas what the
problem may be.

Any ideas would be appreciated.?

Ray,

One of the most common causes of your 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

For more immediate help, provide "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" from each
computer, so we can 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]

Chuck

I have read and appreciate your input here. The info you provided is
probably a little over my head but it might expand my knowledge if I tried it
anyway. But before I do that, I have tried to look for other firewalls and
don't see any but a friend suggested I might have a problem with ICS being
on. Is that a possibility?

 

[Chuck]

Chuck

I have read and appreciate your input here. The info you provided is
probably a little over my head but it might expand my knowledge if I tried it
anyway. But before I do that, I have tried to look for other firewalls and
don't see any but a friend suggested I might have a problem with ICS being
on. Is that a possibility?

Ray,

If ICS is involved, it could cause a settings problem, yes. ICS includes a DHCP
server, which provides settings to the computers on the LAN. If you have a NAT
router providing settings too, this will cause a problem.

The requested "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" would really help me make
more than a guess, though. Give it a go, you might be surprised. Follow all
links in the articles!