Home network problem

G

Guest

I have been trying for several days to set up my home network for sharing
files, reading various suggestions on this site and Chuck's webpages. I have
a pc wired to a belkin router and a laptop connected wirelessly to the
router. Both pc and laptop connect successfully to the internet via broadband
(telephone line). PC has Norton Internet Security 2006 and laptop has windows
firewalls and eTrust antivirus. Both are XP home edition with sp2. The router
also has a firewall.

This is what I have tried so far:
1.Both PC and laptop can ping each other.
2.I ran ipconfig/all on both. The PC (called host) has Netbios over TCP/IP
disabled.
3. Tried to rectify this (Enable in the WINS screen of the LAN properties)
but the change didn't register.
4. Ran Browstat status on both. Laptop looks ok, but PC returns nothing (but
Browstat is being run from the correct directory because typing browstat on
its own displays the list of commands available)
5. Laptop can see itself (computer123) in the workgroup (network54) but not
PC("host"), but the PC (host) cannot see itself or laptop (Computer123).
6. Have tried disabling the firewalls but doesn't seem to help.

Would prefer not to uninstall Norton, at least not until I've exhausted all
the less severe options. (Side questions- How good is Norton firewall
compared to Windows firewall? Is it worth the extra hassle?)

In summary, the PC seems the first place to start - what should I try next?

Thanks
Mike (in the UK)

PC ipconfig/all
=========
Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : HOST
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : network54

Ethernet adapter network54:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : network54
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : F5D5000, PCI Card/Desktop
Network PCI Card
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-30-BD-B9-DF-09
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 21 March 2006 00:44:57
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 19 January 2038 03:14:07

PC Browstat status
============
Nothing. see above

Laptop IPconfig/all
============
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : COMPUTER123
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : network54

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast
Ethernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-40-D0-71-15-BF

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : network54
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Winbond W89C33 mPCI 802.11
Wireless LAN Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-60-B3-E4-9B-B4
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.3
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 20 March 2006 20:59:35
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 19 January 2038 03:14:07

Laptop Browstat status
==============

Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: COMPUTER123
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master COMPUTER123
\\COMPUTER123
There are 1 servers in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
There are 1 domains in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
 
C

Chuck

I have been trying for several days to set up my home network for sharing
files, reading various suggestions on this site and Chuck's webpages. I have
a pc wired to a belkin router and a laptop connected wirelessly to the
router. Both pc and laptop connect successfully to the internet via broadband
(telephone line). PC has Norton Internet Security 2006 and laptop has windows
firewalls and eTrust antivirus. Both are XP home edition with sp2. The router
also has a firewall.

This is what I have tried so far:
1.Both PC and laptop can ping each other.
2.I ran ipconfig/all on both. The PC (called host) has Netbios over TCP/IP
disabled.
3. Tried to rectify this (Enable in the WINS screen of the LAN properties)
but the change didn't register.
4. Ran Browstat status on both. Laptop looks ok, but PC returns nothing (but
Browstat is being run from the correct directory because typing browstat on
its own displays the list of commands available)
5. Laptop can see itself (computer123) in the workgroup (network54) but not
PC("host"), but the PC (host) cannot see itself or laptop (Computer123).
6. Have tried disabling the firewalls but doesn't seem to help.

Would prefer not to uninstall Norton, at least not until I've exhausted all
the less severe options. (Side questions- How good is Norton firewall
compared to Windows firewall? Is it worth the extra hassle?)

In summary, the PC seems the first place to start - what should I try next?

Thanks
Mike (in the UK)
Click to expand...

Laptop Browstat status
==============

Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: COMPUTER123
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master COMPUTER123
\\COMPUTER123
There are 1 servers in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
There are 1 domains in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Click to expand...

Between browstat on HOST returning nothing (does it come back with a command
prompt?), and COMPUTER123 showing "There are 1 servers in domain", and
identifying itself as the master browser, I have to wonder about HOST.

Please check all network components and services on HOST, then please Enable NBT
again.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#Components>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#Components

If checking components and services accomplishes nothing, then uninstall and
reinstall Client for Microsoft Networks and File and Printer Sharing for
Microsoft Networks, and reset TCP/IP.
<http://support.microsoft.com/?id=299357>
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=299357

Then rerun the Network Setup Wizard, and select
This computer connects to the Internet through another computer on my network or
through a residential gateway.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html#NATClient>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html#NATClient

If still no help, go thru the troubleshooting guide in detail and slowly.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html

WRT Norton vs Windows Firewalls, the additional value of Norton is based upon
the perceived need for outbound filtering as a way of detecting malware on the
computer. One of the purposes of having a personal firewall, which is simply 1
portion of layered security, is to prevent malware from running on your
computer. If you let malware on your computer, to the extent that it can be
detected by outgoing traffic, you're already compromised. Most malware is
written to hijack legit outgoing traffic anyway.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html#Layer2>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html#Layer2
 
G

Guest

Success with the disabled netbios after resetting the TCP/IP on the pc(host).
Now the browstats runs on both pc and laptop.
Also changed the Norton personal firewall on the pc to allow 192.168.2.3 to
be "trusted", and changed the permissions to permit some blocked connections
in the advance setting. On the laptop, windows firewall, did likewise.

After this I can "see" both computers from pc and laptop. I can now open
files on the laptop from the pc. Almost there... What I can't do is open
files on the pc from the laptop. I get asked to login as a guest user with a
password. I turned the guest account on (but don't seem to be able to set a
password), with the result that I get error "\\Host is not accessible...."
when I try connecting again from the laptop. How do I get rid of this guest
account login screen? The browstats are now:

laptop
====
Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: HOST
Could not connect to registry, error = 5 Unable to determine build of
browser master: 5
Unable to determine server information for browser master: 5
1 backup servers retrieved from master HOST
\\HOST
There are 2 servers in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
There are 1 domains in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}

desktop pc
=======
Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{2DE2D0F7-E608-403B-A7B4-40D003520B22}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: HOST
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master HOST
\\HOST
Unable to retrieve server list from HOST: 53

Thanks
Mike
 
C

Chuck

Success with the disabled netbios after resetting the TCP/IP on the pc(host).
Now the browstats runs on both pc and laptop.
Also changed the Norton personal firewall on the pc to allow 192.168.2.3 to
be "trusted", and changed the permissions to permit some blocked connections
in the advance setting. On the laptop, windows firewall, did likewise.

After this I can "see" both computers from pc and laptop. I can now open
files on the laptop from the pc. Almost there... What I can't do is open
files on the pc from the laptop. I get asked to login as a guest user with a
password. I turned the guest account on (but don't seem to be able to set a
password), with the result that I get error "\\Host is not accessible...."
when I try connecting again from the laptop. How do I get rid of this guest
account login screen? The browstats are now:

laptop
====
Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: HOST
Could not connect to registry, error = 5 Unable to determine build of
browser master: 5
Unable to determine server information for browser master: 5
1 backup servers retrieved from master HOST
\\HOST
There are 2 servers in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
There are 1 domains in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}

desktop pc
=======
Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{2DE2D0F7-E608-403B-A7B4-40D003520B22}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: HOST
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master HOST
\\HOST
Unable to retrieve server list from HOST: 53

Thanks
Mike
Click to expand...

OK, Mike,

Looking a bit better. Now, what operating system is running on Computer123, and
on Host? XP Home, XP Pro with Simple File Sharing, or XP Pro with Advanced File
Sharing? This makes a difference now.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Simple>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Simple

How did you activate Guest? Did you do it from the Control Panel applet? Or
from Computer Management, in Administrative Tools?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Activate>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html#Activate
 
G

Guest

Both PC and laptop are running XP Home. I have activated a guest account on
both computers and set null passwords (nothing in the fields). I activated
these through the command window and then control panel applet.

Also changed the main username to be the same username and password on both
computers. (I noticed that the user folder name does not change when the user
name is changed)

Question: Do I need to set up guests on both or can I share files without
guest user accounts activated (ie shown as an option when I login)?

I re-ran the network wizard("set up a home office network") again, first on
the pc, then on the laptop using residential gateway option for both. Should
I be using the "set up a wireless network.." wizard for the laptop?

Result: I can still share files on the laptop using the PC (host), but not
the other way. I still get the msg "\\host is not accessible..."

The browstat status for the laptop still has problems, whilst I did have a
"clean looking" (no error numbers) browstat for the pc. However when I tried
to send it again to notepad ie get a new "64" error msg (network name is no
longer available??).

Frustrating because I can share files one way, but maybe the Norton Internet
Security firewall is still blocking the laptop?

Any further ideas? Thanks for your help so far.
Mike

laptop browstat
==========
Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: HOST
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 53
Unable to determine server information for browser master: 5
1 backup servers retrieved from master HOST
\\HOST
There are 2 servers in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
There are 1 domains in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}

PC browstat
========


Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: HOST
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 53
Unable to determine server information for browser master: 5
1 backup servers retrieved from master HOST
\\HOST
There are 2 servers in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
There are 1 domains in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
 
G

Guest

My apologies, the current pc browstat is now copied in place of the
duplicated laptop browstat

Thanks
Mike

Mike said:
Both PC and laptop are running XP Home. I have activated a guest account on
both computers and set null passwords (nothing in the fields). I activated
these through the command window and then control panel applet.

Also changed the main username to be the same username and password on both
computers. (I noticed that the user folder name does not change when the user
name is changed)

Question: Do I need to set up guests on both or can I share files without
guest user accounts activated (ie shown as an option when I login)?

I re-ran the network wizard("set up a home office network") again, first on
the pc, then on the laptop using residential gateway option for both. Should
I be using the "set up a wireless network.." wizard for the laptop?

Result: I can still share files on the laptop using the PC (host), but not
the other way. I still get the msg "\\host is not accessible..."

The browstat status for the laptop still has problems, whilst I did have a
"clean looking" (no error numbers) browstat for the pc. However when I tried
to send it again to notepad ie get a new "64" error msg (network name is no
longer available??).

Frustrating because I can share files one way, but maybe the Norton Internet
Security firewall is still blocking the laptop?

Any further ideas? Thanks for your help so far.
Mike

laptop browstat
==========
Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: HOST
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 53
Unable to determine server information for browser master: 5
1 backup servers retrieved from master HOST
\\HOST
There are 2 servers in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
There are 1 domains in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}

PC browstat
========

Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{2DE2D0F7-E608-403B-A7B4-40D003520B22}
Click to expand...
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: HOST
Master browser is running build 2600
1 backup servers retrieved from master HOST
\\HOST
Unable to retrieve server list from HOST: 64
 
C

Chuck

My apologies, the current pc browstat is now copied in place of the
duplicated laptop browstat

Thanks
Mike
Click to expand...

Mike,

With XP Home and Simple File Sharing, account name on both computers is
irrelevant for network access.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html

The "error = 53" in browstat is normal with the master browser running on XP
Home.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html#Error53>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html#Error53

The "error = 64" could be caused by Norton, yes. Some helpers here start their
advice by demanding that you un install all third party personal firewalls, and
using all procedures required by the vendor. In your case, I think that's a
good idea.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html

After that, check for LSP / Winsock corruption.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/problems-with-lsp-winsock-layer-in.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/problems-with-lsp-winsock-layer-in.html

If you run the NSW, the residential gateway option is correct. That won't help
if you have a security problem, or a lower level protocol problem.

And Mike, please make it easier on both of us, and type your answers after mine.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting
 
G

Guest

Success! I read a similar sounding problem ("home network access permissions"
17/3) and changed the RestrictAnonymous Registry parameter to zero (was 1 on
the pc) and can now share files both ways.
I'm still getting a browstat with errors but I can live with that.

Thanks to Chuck and the http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm website.

The final browstat on the pc (Host)
======================
Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: HOST
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 53
\\\\HOST . Version:05.01 Flags: 51203 NT POTENTIAL MASTER
1 backup servers retrieved from master HOST
\\HOST
There are 2 servers in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
There are 1 domains in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
 
C

Chuck

Success! I read a similar sounding problem ("home network access permissions"
17/3) and changed the RestrictAnonymous Registry parameter to zero (was 1 on
the pc) and can now share files both ways.
I'm still getting a browstat with errors but I can live with that.

Thanks to Chuck and the http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm website.

The final browstat on the pc (Host)
======================
Status for domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: HOST
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine build
of browser master: 53
\\\\HOST . Version:05.01 Flags: 51203 NT POTENTIAL MASTER
1 backup servers retrieved from master HOST
\\HOST
There are 2 servers in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
There are 1 domains in domain NETWORK54 on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{8441F08A-4DEB-40D7-BE53-612AECB45FD0}
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update, Mike. The restrictanonymous setting is not the easiest
one to identify. Glad you sorted it out.
 

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