Getting new XP machine on network

[David]

I don't know why this can't be easier -- I have problems every time I
bring a new machine onto my LAN.

Just re-installed XP SP2 on my son's Dell D600. We each have an
account. My account has the same name as my account on another XP
machine (XP-2) and my iMac. They are all in the same workgroup. Here's
the status:

o I can access my iMac from XP-2 but I can't see my XP-2 from the iMac
o I can see my Dell in the workgroup from the XP-2 but, when I try to
open it, I get a 'Dell not accessible. You might not have
permission....' message.
o When I open my workgroup on the Dell, I get a 'Workgroup not
accessible. You might not have permission...' message.
o When I attempt to open the Dell from the iMac, I gert a 'Dell could
not be opened because the original item cannot be found' message.
o I don't even see my XP-2 machine in the workgroup on the iMac.
o I can't seem to find the HP6310 printer that's connected to the
router from the Dell to install it.
o Firewalls are off.
o HD is shared on the Dell

Any ideas what the problem might be?

TIA,
David

 

[Chuck [MVP]]

I don't know why this can't be easier -- I have problems every time I
bring a new machine onto my LAN.

Just re-installed XP SP2 on my son's Dell D600. We each have an
account. My account has the same name as my account on another XP
machine (XP-2) and my iMac. They are all in the same workgroup. Here's
the status:

o I can access my iMac from XP-2 but I can't see my XP-2 from the iMac
o I can see my Dell in the workgroup from the XP-2 but, when I try to
open it, I get a 'Dell not accessible. You might not have
permission....' message.
o When I open my workgroup on the Dell, I get a 'Workgroup not
accessible. You might not have permission...' message.
o When I attempt to open the Dell from the iMac, I gert a 'Dell could
not be opened because the original item cannot be found' message.
o I don't even see my XP-2 machine in the workgroup on the iMac.
o I can't seem to find the HP6310 printer that's connected to the
router from the Dell to install it.
o Firewalls are off.
o HD is shared on the Dell

Any ideas what the problem might be?

TIA,
David

David,

This will most frequently be a misconfigured or overlooked personal firewall, or
NetBT isn't consistently Enabled.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html

Look at logs from "browstat status", "ipconfig /all", "net config server", and
"net config workstation", from each XP computer, and try to diagnose the
problem. I'm not sure what effect the iMac will have - you can't run the same
diagnostics there. 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

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[Guest]

I''ve had the same issues in the past and I tracked it down to computers
having different DNS addresses. Same workgroup but different DNS. Once I
got them all on the same DNS - no more issues. It's worth a look.