Help Your Mom with networking, please

[Guest]

Hi - I'm 55 and computer illiterate. Please help. Computer A connected via
Linksys router to DSL modem via ethernet cable and has Linksys USB wireless
adapter. Computer A can access Computer B's files just fine. Computer B has
same Linksys USB wireless adapter. Internet sharing works perfectly on both
machines, but Computer B cannot access Computer A at all and icon for A does
not show in network places. A is running XP Home, B is running XP Pro. LAN
icon for Computer B is crossed out on icon tray, saying a cable is
disconnected but since this is a wireless network with the adapter and
internet running fine I don't know what to do. When I run Network Wizard on
B it also points out that the LAN is disconnected and does not show the
wireless network as a choice. Network troublshooter unable to fix the
problem. It is important for me to be able to get Computer A's files for use
on Computer B but I have tried everything I know. Please help, there's
homemade soup in it for you. Thanks, PAULA

 

[Bob S.]

Have you made sure that the drives, file folders are shared on computer A?
Otherwise, B can't see them.

And from your problem description - you are not computer illiterate - far
from it....

Bob S.

 

[Chuck]

Hi - I'm 55 and computer illiterate. Please help. Computer A connected via
Linksys router to DSL modem via ethernet cable and has Linksys USB wireless
adapter. Computer A can access Computer B's files just fine. Computer B has
same Linksys USB wireless adapter. Internet sharing works perfectly on both
machines, but Computer B cannot access Computer A at all and icon for A does
not show in network places. A is running XP Home, B is running XP Pro. LAN
icon for Computer B is crossed out on icon tray, saying a cable is
disconnected but since this is a wireless network with the adapter and
internet running fine I don't know what to do. When I run Network Wizard on
B it also points out that the LAN is disconnected and does not show the
wireless network as a choice. Network troublshooter unable to fix the
problem. It is important for me to be able to get Computer A's files for use
on Computer B but I have tried everything I know. Please help, there's
homemade soup in it for you. Thanks, PAULA

Paula,

Boy, I could only wish that my Mom was as "illiterate" as you. With her, I had
to have her read every label on every electronic device NEAR her computer, just
so I could identify each network component, and tell her how to connect it all.
And even then (DOHH) she got it wrong. You are waaay ahead of true illiterates.

I think your problem (one of them anyway) may be Computer A, if it has both a
wired and a wireless connector.

Please provide ipconfig information for each computer, and we'll see if that's
the case.
- Start - Run - "cmd".
- Type "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command window, and hit Enter.
- Open Notepad.
- Make sure that Format - Word Wrap is NOT checked!.
- Open file c:\ipconfig.txt from Notepad.
- Select All (Ctrl-A), Copy (Ctrl-C), then paste (Ctrl-V) entire contents into
your next post.
- Identify operating system by name (Windows 98? Windows XP?), version (XP
Home? Pro?), and Service Pack level, with each ipconfig listing, as best you can
please.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Guest]

Thank you so much for your kind words, Bob. The folders are set up to be
shared on Computer A. I will check the drives when I return to the scene of
the crime on Monday. Is there a separate "button" for sharing drives in
addition to the "sharing files and folders" button?

 

[Guest]

Thank you, too Chuck, for your encouragement! You may change your opinion
about my computer literacy as this process goes on..I won't be able to try
your solution until Monday but I have printed it out and I am anxious to try
it....I DID get Computer C to use Computer B's printer today but that's
another story for another day. I will post again on Monday. Thank you so
much for helping me...."MOM"

 

[Guest]

Thank you, too Chuck, for your encouragement! You may change your opinion
about my computer literacy as this process goes on..I won't be able to try
your solution until Monday but I have printed it out and I am anxious to try
it....I DID get Computer C to use Computer B's printer today but that's
another story for another day. I will post again on Monday. Thank you so
much for helping me...."MOM"

Hi Again Chuck - here is the information you asked for:

Computer A:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]

(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Mullay&Mullaly>
C:\Documents and Settings\Mullay&Mullaly>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : MULLALY1
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated
Cont
roller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-43-16-2F-83
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys Wireless-B USB Network
Adapt
er v4.0
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-12-17-95-7C-EB
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.103
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 151.204.0.84
151.197.0.39
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, March 07, 2005 6:18:30 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, March 08, 2005 6:18:30 PM

C:\Documents and Settings\Mullay&Mullaly>

And Computer B:


Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : MULLALY2

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No



Ethernet adapter Network Bridge (Network Bridge) 11:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : MAC Bridge Miniport

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-12-17-5F-F6-1E

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.102

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 151.204.0.84

151.197.0.39

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, March 07, 2005 6:11:34 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, March 08, 2005 6:11:34 PM

 

[Guest]

Thank you, too Chuck, for your encouragement! You may change your opinion
about my computer literacy as this process goes on..I won't be able to try
your solution until Monday but I have printed it out and I am anxious to try
it....I DID get Computer C to use Computer B's printer today but that's
another story for another day. I will post again on Monday. Thank you so
much for helping me...."MOM"

Also, and please pardon the lack of proper technical language here, Computer
B seems to be "broadcasting" itself just fine - as I was able to hook into
Computer B's files and printer from yet another computer on our wireless
network....but Computer B isn't able to "receive" signals from the other
computers and cannot access those computers on the network.

Thanks for your help!

PAULA

 

[Chuck]

Also, and please pardon the lack of proper technical language here, Computer
B seems to be "broadcasting" itself just fine - as I was able to hook into
Computer B's files and printer from yet another computer on our wireless
network....but Computer B isn't able to "receive" signals from the other
computers and cannot access those computers on the network.

Thanks for your help!

PAULA

Paula,

OK, to start with, MULLALY2 has a bridge. That must be removed first. From
Network Connections, right click on the bridge, and delete it. After you delete
the bridge, reboot the computer, and post an updated ipconfig.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Guest]

Thank you Chuck - I will try this tomorrow and post the new ip config. Sorry
I am so slow at responding to this - but I am trying to work in between the
computer issues. Thanks again, Paula

 

[Chuck]

Thank you Chuck - I will try this tomorrow and post the new ip config. Sorry
I am so slow at responding to this - but I am trying to work in between the
computer issues. Thanks again, Paula

Paula,

It's your dime (no nowadays it's your dollar). Thanks for updating us.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Guest]

Chuck here is the IP config for Computer B with the bridge removed

Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : MULLALY2

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No



Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys Wireless-B USB Network
Adapter v4.0

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-12-17-5F-F6-1E

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.101

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 151.204.0.84

151.197.0.39

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, March 11, 2005 5:34:54 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 12, 2005 5:34:54
PM

 

[Chuck]

Chuck here is the IP config for Computer B with the bridge removed

OK, Paula,

I've got my suspicion what the problem is, and if we enumerate the situation it
may be easier to explain.

Take the following code (everything inside the "#####").

Open Notepad. Ensure that Format - Word Wrap is not checked. Highlight then
Copy the code (Ctrl-C), precisely as it is keyed, and Paste (Ctrl-V) into
Notepad. Verify, and correct, names and addresses if necessary.
Save the Notepad file as "cdiag.cmd", as type "All Files", into the root folder
"C:\".
Run it by Start - Run - "c:\cdiag".
Wait patiently.
When Notepad opens up displaying c:\cdiag.txt, first check Format and ensure
that Word Wrap is NOT checked! Then, copy the entire contents (Ctrl-A Ctrl-C)
and paste (Ctrl-V) into your next post.

Do this from all computers, please, with all computers powered up and online.

#####

@echo off
set FullTarget1=MULLALY1 192.168.1.103 192.168.0.1
set FullTarget2=MULLALY2 192.168.1.101
set FullTarget3=
set FullTarget4=
set FullTargets=%FullTarget1% %FullTarget2% %FullTarget3% %FullTarget4%
set PingTargets=127.0.0.1 192.168.1.1
Set Version=V1.1
@echo CDiagnosis %Version% >c:\cdiag.txt
@echo Start diagnosis for %computername% (==> %FullTargets%) >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo "ping www.yahoo.com" >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
ping www.yahoo.com >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo "ping 66.94.230.32" >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
ping 66.94.230.32 >>c:\cdiag.txt
for %%a in (%FullTargets%) do (
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo Target - Full %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo "ping %%a" >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
ping %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo "net view %%a" >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
net view %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
)
for %%a in (%PingTargets%) do (
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo Target - Ping Only %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo "ping %%a" >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
ping %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
net view %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
)
@echo End diagnosis for %computername% >>c:\cdiag.txt
notepad c:\cdiag.txt
:EOF

#####

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Guest]

Thank you Chuck - Just so you don't think I'm (completely) wacko, the
computers in question are at my office and usually in use, which is why the
long delay between your kind suggestions and my responses. I'll take a whack
at your latest idea on Monday. Have a nice weekend and please know I am
DEEPLY appreciative of your continued assistance. PAULA

 

[Chuck]

Thank you Chuck - Just so you don't think I'm (completely) wacko, the
computers in question are at my office and usually in use, which is why the
long delay between your kind suggestions and my responses. I'll take a whack
at your latest idea on Monday. Have a nice weekend and please know I am
DEEPLY appreciative of your continued assistance. PAULA

Glad to help, Paula. You have a nice weekend too.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Guest]

Hi Chuck - here's the results from Computer B....other results to follow
shortly. Thanks, Paua


CDiagnosis V1.1
Start diagnosis for MULLALY2 (== 192.168.1.103 192.168.0.1 MULLALY2
192.168.1.101 )

"ping www.yahoo.com"



Pinging www.yahoo.akadns.net [68.142.226.41] with 32 bytes of data:



Reply from 68.142.226.41: bytes=32 time=26ms TTL=54

Reply from 68.142.226.41: bytes=32 time=23ms TTL=54

Reply from 68.142.226.41: bytes=32 time=29ms TTL=54

Reply from 68.142.226.41: bytes=32 time=25ms TTL=55



Ping statistics for 68.142.226.41:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 23ms, Maximum = 29ms, Average = 25ms


"ping 66.94.230.32"



Pinging 66.94.230.32 with 32 bytes of data:



Reply from 66.94.230.32: bytes=32 time=99ms TTL=48

Reply from 66.94.230.32: bytes=32 time=107ms TTL=48

Reply from 66.94.230.32: bytes=32 time=110ms TTL=48

Reply from 66.94.230.32: bytes=32 time=107ms TTL=48



Ping statistics for 66.94.230.32:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 99ms, Maximum = 110ms, Average = 105ms


Target - Full MULLALY1

"ping MULLALY1"

Ping request could not find host MULLALY1. Please check the name and try
again.


"net view MULLALY1"


Target - Full 192.168.1.103

"ping 192.168.1.103"



Pinging 192.168.1.103 with 32 bytes of data:



Request timed out.

Request timed out.

Request timed out.

Request timed out.



Ping statistics for 192.168.1.103:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),


"net view 192.168.1.103"

 

[Guest]

And here's the results for Computer A:

CDiagnosis V1.1
Start diagnosis for MULLALY1 (== 192.168.1.103 192.168.0.1 MULLALY2
192.168.1.101 )

"ping www.yahoo.com"



Pinging www.yahoo.akadns.net [68.142.226.49] with 32 bytes of data:



Reply from 68.142.226.49: bytes=32 time=26ms TTL=54

Reply from 68.142.226.49: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=55

Reply from 68.142.226.49: bytes=32 time=25ms TTL=55

Reply from 68.142.226.49: bytes=32 time=24ms TTL=54



Ping statistics for 68.142.226.49:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 24ms, Maximum = 28ms, Average = 25ms


"ping 66.94.230.32"



Pinging 66.94.230.32 with 32 bytes of data:



Reply from 66.94.230.32: bytes=32 time=105ms TTL=47

Reply from 66.94.230.32: bytes=32 time=115ms TTL=48

Reply from 66.94.230.32: bytes=32 time=99ms TTL=48

Reply from 66.94.230.32: bytes=32 time=98ms TTL=48



Ping statistics for 66.94.230.32:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 98ms, Maximum = 115ms, Average = 104ms


Target - Full MULLALY1

"ping MULLALY1"



Pinging MULLALY1 [192.168.1.103] with 32 bytes of data:



Reply from 192.168.1.103: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Reply from 192.168.1.103: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Reply from 192.168.1.103: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Reply from 192.168.1.103: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128



Ping statistics for 192.168.1.103:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms


"net view MULLALY1"

Shared resources at MULLALY1

Wan's Computer

Share name Type Used as Comment

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FORMS Disk
IMMIG_A- Disk
IMMIG_D- Disk
IMMIG_G- Disk
IMMIG_J- Disk
IMMIG_M- Disk
IMMIG_O- Disk
IMMIG_S- Disk
IMMIG_U- Disk
Printer Print Brother PCL5e Driver
SharedDocs Disk
The command completed successfully.


Target - Full 192.168.1.103

"ping 192.168.1.103"



Pinging 192.168.1.103 with 32 bytes of data:



Reply from 192.168.1.103: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128



Ping statistics for 192.168.1.103:

Packets: Sent = 1, Received = 1, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:

Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

 

[Chuck]

And here's the results for Computer A:

<SNIP>

Paula,

Both files were extremely short, to the point of being useless. Is it possible
that you didn't copy the entire contents in each case?

Let's try again. The code is slightly improved, so give this a shot.

Take the following code (everything inside the "#####"). (Please verify
computer names and ip addresses).

Open Notepad. Ensure that Format - Word Wrap is not checked. Highlight then
Copy the code (Ctrl-C), precisely as it is presented, and Paste (Ctrl-V) into
Notepad. Verify, and correct, names and addresses if necessary.
Save the Notepad file as "cdiag.cmd", as type "All Files", into the root folder
"C:\". Replace previous cdiag.cmd file.
Run it by Start - Run - "c:\cdiag".
Wait patiently.
When Notepad opens up displaying c:\cdiag.txt, first check Format and ensure
that Word Wrap is NOT checked! Then, copy the entire contents (Ctrl-A Ctrl-C)
and paste (Ctrl-V) into your next post.

Do this from all computers, please, with all computers powered up and online.

#####

@echo off
set FullTarget1=MULLALY1 192.168.1.103 192.168.0.1
set FullTarget2=MULLALY2 192.168.1.101
set FullTarget3=
set FullTarget4=
set FullTargets=%FullTarget1% %FullTarget2%
set PingTargets=127.0.0.1 192.168.1.1
Set Version=V1.3
@echo CDiagnosis %Version% >c:\cdiag.txt
@echo Start diagnosis for %computername% >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo Full Targets %FullTargets% >>c:\cdiag.txt
for %%a in (%FullTargets%) do (
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo Target %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo "ping %%a" >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
ping %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo "net view %%a" >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
net view %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
)
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo Ping Targets %PingTargets% >>c:\cdiag.txt
for %%a in (%PingTargets%) do (
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo Target %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo "ping %%a" >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
ping %%a >>c:\cdiag.txt
)
@echo. >>c:\cdiag.txt
@echo End diagnosis for %computername% >>c:\cdiag.txt
notepad c:\cdiag.txt
:EOF

#####

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Guest]

Hi Chuck - I'm pretty sure I ran the code correctly - I even made everyone
leave me alone so I could concentrate. Nonetheless, I will try the new code
tomorrow. Thanks for your patience. PAULA

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck - I'm pretty sure I ran the code correctly - I even made everyone
leave me alone so I could concentrate. Nonetheless, I will try the new code
tomorrow. Thanks for your patience. PAULA

Paula,

Don't worry - I have lots of patience. Just don't you give up on me.

Let's change this very slightly. Run CDiag by Start - Run - "cmd". In the
command window, type "c:\cdiag". Observe what messages come up in the window.

When you look at c:\cdiag.txt from Notepad, look at the last line. Is it "End
diagnosis..."? If so, you have a complete run. If not, see if any messages
showed up in the command window, and type them here.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

 

[Guest]

OK, when I type c:\cdiag I get this message: "System Error 53 has occurred.
The network path was not found.