Home network - computers can't see each other

[Jud McCranie]

We have three computers on a home network that has been working for a
long time. Now they can't see each other, but they can all access the
internet.

They say "network drive disconnected" in My Computer. I can't map
drives either. When I go to Entire Network, MS Windows Network, after
20-30 seconds MSHOME comes up. If I click on MSHOME, in 20-30 seconds
it says "Mshome is not accessible. You might not have permission to
use this network resource. ... The list of servers for this workgroup
is not currently available."

I turned everything off and restarted, that didn't help. I ran the
Network Wizard on all of them, that didn't help. I have sharing on
for all computers.

I've made two changes recently, but I don't know if they were before
or after the problem started. Recent changes:
1. replaced the router, but it installed without a hitch
2. installed MS Live OneCare, but its firewall is off

Any ideas of how I can fix this?

 

[Jud McCranie]

We have three computers on a home network that has been working for a
long time. Now they can't see each other, but they can all access the
internet.

Two of the computers are using XP home, SP2. The other is using XP
Media Center 2005. All updates have been installed. The router is a
Linksys BEFSR 41, ver 4, which replaced a similar version 1 one.

 

[Chuck]

We have three computers on a home network that has been working for a
long time. Now they can't see each other, but they can all access the
internet.

They say "network drive disconnected" in My Computer. I can't map
drives either. When I go to Entire Network, MS Windows Network, after
20-30 seconds MSHOME comes up. If I click on MSHOME, in 20-30 seconds
it says "Mshome is not accessible. You might not have permission to
use this network resource. ... The list of servers for this workgroup
is not currently available."

I turned everything off and restarted, that didn't help. I ran the
Network Wizard on all of them, that didn't help. I have sharing on
for all computers.

I've made two changes recently, but I don't know if they were before
or after the problem started. Recent changes:
1. replaced the router, but it installed without a hitch
2. installed MS Live OneCare, but its firewall is off

Any ideas of how I can fix this?

Jud,

When you say "I have sharing on for all computers", do you mean that you enabled
the "File and Printer Sharing" network component (which you must do), or that
you enabled "Simple File Sharing" (which is optional, and won't affect
browsing)?

Make sure that all 3 computers are in the same workgroup, and that NetBT is
enabled on all.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html

Then look for 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

And look at "browstat status", "ipconfig /all", "net config server", and "net
config workstation", from each computer, and 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

 

[Malke]

Two of the computers are using XP home, SP2. The other is using XP
Media Center 2005. All updates have been installed. The router is a
Linksys BEFSR 41, ver 4, which replaced a similar version 1 one.

Just to add to Chuck's always-excellent advice, since you have MCE (a
superset of Pro) the following applies to you:

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
matters in your situation.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
Shared Documents folder.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke

 

[Jud McCranie]

When you say "I have sharing on for all computers", do you mean that you enabled
the "File and Printer Sharing" network component (which you must do), or that
you enabled "Simple File Sharing" (which is optional, and won't affect
browsing)?

I told it to share when I ran the network wizard, and in My computer,
if I right click on the HD, sharing is on there.

More info: the two XP home computers see themselves and each other.
They don't see the MCE one (although they used to). The MCE one
doesn't see anyone - not even itself!! I go to Entire Network, MS
Network, MSHome, and after 20-30 seconds it says that MShome isn't
access able.

Make sure that all 3 computers are in the same workgroup, and that NetBT is
enabled on all.

I wasn't able to understand the material about NetBT, but all are in
the same workgroup, MSHOME, except that the MCE computer can't even
get to MSHOME. I've run the network wizard two or three more times. I
thought I'd delete MSHOME and run the wizard again, but I can't find
any way to delete it.

 

[Jud McCranie]

More info: the two XP home computers see themselves and each other.
They don't see the MCE one (although they used to). The MCE one
doesn't see anyone - not even itself!!

Additional information: a few days ago I took the MCE one off the
router and connected directly to the cable modem for a short while to
test an email problem. I don't know if this matters.

 

[Chuck]

I told it to share when I ran the network wizard, and in My computer,
if I right click on the HD, sharing is on there.

More info: the two XP home computers see themselves and each other.
They don't see the MCE one (although they used to). The MCE one
doesn't see anyone - not even itself!! I go to Entire Network, MS
Network, MSHome, and after 20-30 seconds it says that MShome isn't
access able.


I wasn't able to understand the material about NetBT, but all are in
the same workgroup, MSHOME, except that the MCE computer can't even
get to MSHOME. I've run the network wizard two or three more times. I
thought I'd delete MSHOME and run the wizard again, but I can't find
any way to delete it.

OK, let's do some diagnostic work. Start with ipconfig from each computer.
Copy and paste the results from "ipconfig /all", and post it after the "###".
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/providing-diagnostic-data.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/providing-diagnostic-data.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html

 

[Chuck]

I told it to share when I ran the network wizard, and in My computer,
if I right click on the HD, sharing is on there.

More info: the two XP home computers see themselves and each other.
They don't see the MCE one (although they used to). The MCE one
doesn't see anyone - not even itself!! I go to Entire Network, MS
Network, MSHome, and after 20-30 seconds it says that MShome isn't
access able.


I wasn't able to understand the material about NetBT, but all are in
the same workgroup, MSHOME, except that the MCE computer can't even
get to MSHOME. I've run the network wizard two or three more times. I
thought I'd delete MSHOME and run the wizard again, but I can't find
any way to delete it.

OK, let's do some diagnostic work. Start with ipconfig from each computer.
Copy and paste the results from "ipconfig /all", and post it after the "###".
Read the articles for instruction.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/providing-diagnostic-data.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/providing-diagnostic-data.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html

###

 

[Jud McCranie]

OK, let's do some diagnostic work. Start with ipconfig from each computer.
Copy and paste the results from "ipconfig /all", and post it after the "###".
Read the articles for instruction.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/providing-diagnostic-data.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/providing-diagnostic-data.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html

###

====First the MCE one that doesn't see itself or the others====

Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Steven

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid

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

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

DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : atlaga.adelphia.net



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : atlaga.adelphia.net

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking
Controller

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-17-31-DA-21-95

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 . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.70.15.246

68.70.15.247

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, September 09,
2006 5:14:13 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, September 10, 2006
5:14:13 PM

=== number 2=========


Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Janis

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid

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

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



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 3:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x
Family Fast Ethernet NIC

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-E0-18-34-C0-F0

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 . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, September 09,
2006 9:56:26 AM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, September 11, 2006
9:56:26 AM

==== number 3 =====


Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : ELIZ-OFFICE

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid

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

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

DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : atlaga.adelphia.net



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : atlaga.adelphia.net

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE
Network Connection

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-11-C9-55-DC

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

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100

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

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

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

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.70.15.246

68.70.15.247

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, September 09,
2006 9:56:41 AM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, September 10, 2006
9:56:41 AM

============
That's it. Thanks for looking at it.

 

[Chuck]

====First the MCE one that doesn't see itself or the others====

Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Steven

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid

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

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

DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : atlaga.adelphia.net



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : atlaga.adelphia.net

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking
Controller

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-17-31-DA-21-95

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 . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.70.15.246

68.70.15.247

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, September 09,
2006 5:14:13 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, September 10, 2006
5:14:13 PM

Jud,

OK, all 3 computers are on the same subnet 192.168.1.0/24, and all have
compatible node type.

Here's a possibility.

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Steven

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller

You need to check with nVidia. The newer nForce controllers include a hardware
firewall, and if you don't load the drivers, the firewall will fail.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/02/hidden-personal-firewall-nvidia-nforce.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/02/hidden-personal-firewall-nvidia-nforce.html

If the nForce is not part of the problem, then we need to look at browstat next.
Run "browstat status" from each computer. Follow instructions precisely
(download browstat, copy to "C:\Utility", add "C:\Utility " to the Path).
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html

 

[Jud McCranie]

Here's a possibility.


You need to check with nVidia. The newer nForce controllers include a hardware
firewall, and if you don't load the drivers, the firewall will fail.

This has network adapter on the motherboard. I went to the device
manager, and it says the device is working. I told it to update the
drivers, but it didn't find any better ones. The properties didn't
say anything about a firewall.

If this is the problem, can I put in a new network card and fix the
problem, or would two NICs confuse the computer?

Run "browstat status" from each computer. Follow instructions precisely
(download browstat, copy to "C:\Utility", add "C:\Utility " to the Path).

In the same order as before:
==============
Status for domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{7BA0E52F-E13B-44E3-A258-ED61E9B293B0}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: STEVEN
Master browser is running build 2600
================

Status for domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{0EF5DBE1-571A-400F-AF45-8D60C7271D6B}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: ELIZ-OFFICE
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine
build of browser master: 53
\\\\ELIZ-OFFICE . Version:05.01 Flags: 51207 NT POTENTIAL
MASTER
1 backup servers retrieved from master ELIZ-OFFICE
\\ELIZ-OFFICE
There are 3 servers in domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{0EF5DBE1-571A-400F-AF45-8D60C7271D6B}
There are 1 domains in domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{0EF5DBE1-571A-400F-AF45-8D60C7271D6B}
==================
Status for domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{12BD52D4-C1B4-4852-B992-1010491424C3}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: ELIZ-OFFICE
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master ELIZ-OFFICE
\\ELIZ-OFFICE
There are 3 servers in domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{12BD52D4-C1B4-4852-B992-1010491424C3}
There are 1 domains in domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{12BD52D4-C1B4-4852-B992-1010491424C3}
=========================

Does that help?

 

[Jud McCranie]

This has network adapter on the motherboard. I went to the device
manager, and it says the device is working.

Also, it had an option checked to turn it off to save power. I
unchecked that option, but it didn't make a difference as far as this
problem.

 

[Jud McCranie]

And to reiterate something, on computer #1 (the MCE one), if I go to
My network places, entire network, microsoft windows network, after
20-30 seconds it shows MSHome. Clicking on that says that it is not
accessible (after about 30 seconds). That is on that computer only.

 

[Jud McCranie]

This has network adapter on the motherboard.

A couple more things to mention, in case they are relevant. (I don't
know if they are). I got the MCE computer 4 or 5 weeks ago.

1. The computer came with nVidea graphics on the motherboard. I put
in an ATI dual monitor video card. The second monitor wasn't
displaying correctly, and I tracked it down to an nvidea program in
msconfig/startup. I removed that, and the second monitor started
displaying correctly.

2. I'm also having a strange problem with Eudora email. Most of the
time when checking mail, in Eudora, it gives a 10060 error - server
not found. Thunderbird and Outlook Express rarely have this problem.
I've talked to my ISP tech support and Eudora tech support, and my
settings are OK. They say that it is almost always a firewall or
virus checker that causes this problem. I tried running barefoot - no
virus checker, no firewall, no router, and I still have the problem.
But I believe I was having the problem with my old computer too.

 

[Chuck]

This has network adapter on the motherboard. I went to the device
manager, and it says the device is working. I told it to update the
drivers, but it didn't find any better ones. The properties didn't
say anything about a firewall.

If this is the problem, can I put in a new network card and fix the
problem, or would two NICs confuse the computer?


In the same order as before:
==============
Status for domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{7BA0E52F-E13B-44E3-A258-ED61E9B293B0}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: STEVEN
Master browser is running build 2600
================

Status for domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{0EF5DBE1-571A-400F-AF45-8D60C7271D6B}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: ELIZ-OFFICE
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine
build of browser master: 53
\\\\ELIZ-OFFICE . Version:05.01 Flags: 51207 NT POTENTIAL
MASTER
1 backup servers retrieved from master ELIZ-OFFICE
\\ELIZ-OFFICE
There are 3 servers in domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{0EF5DBE1-571A-400F-AF45-8D60C7271D6B}
There are 1 domains in domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{0EF5DBE1-571A-400F-AF45-8D60C7271D6B}
==================
Status for domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{12BD52D4-C1B4-4852-B992-1010491424C3}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: ELIZ-OFFICE
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master ELIZ-OFFICE
\\ELIZ-OFFICE
There are 3 servers in domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{12BD52D4-C1B4-4852-B992-1010491424C3}
There are 1 domains in domain MSHOME on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{12BD52D4-C1B4-4852-B992-1010491424C3}
=========================

Jud,

The problem with the nVidia situation (you did read my article, and the linked
articles?) is that there are different nForce models, and different nForce
drivers. If the nForce firewall is involved in your problem, you'll have to
disable the nForce hardware completely, and install a new NIC.

Seeing as both Janis and Eliz-Office are seeing all 3 computers, this almost has
to be a firewall problem. Where is OneCare (called "Wanker" in some places)
installed?

The master browser is Eliz-Office. Janis gets an error = 53 trying to connect,
a normal symptom for XP Home. Both Janis and Eliz-Office see 3 computers
("There are 3 servers"). Steven has elected itself a master browser ("Master
browser name is held by: STEVEN").

The problem almost has to be Steven. Janis is fine. You need to verify the
NetBT setting on Steven. Then look at the firewalls on Steven.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/08/manual-network-setup-procedures.html#TCP/IP-Advanced>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/08/manual-network-setup-procedures.html#TCP/IP-Advanced

 

[Jud McCranie]

We have three computers on a home network that has been working for a
long time. Now they can't see each other, but they can all access the
internet.

Well, after struggling with the problem for many hours over the last
few days, I uninstalled MS Live OneCare, rebooted, and it started
working again.

 

[Chuck]

Well, after struggling with the problem for many hours over the last
few days, I uninstalled MS Live OneCare, rebooted, and it started
working again.

AKA "Wanker". Thanks for the update.

 

[Guest]

SP1 or SP2 on the XP machines?

 

[Guest]

Thats a firewall issue I would believe.