How Do I Start Over?

[Guest]

Assume that something went wrong in my Windows XP Home SP2 2-computer
network. Being clueless, I tried all the built-in Microsoft fixes, including
repeated use of the network wizard, with no result. Then I read some stuff
on the Internet and tried various fixes with no regard to the systematic way
to solve problems recommended by PChuck. What I created was, of course, a
mess. Is there some way to clean it all off and start from scratch, whatever
"scratch" may be?

Do I:

1. Delete all network prootocols (except TCP/IP which won't delete)?
2. Uninstall my NIC? (Which reinstalls when I reboot)
3. Try the Windows Repair installation?
4. Try the Windows (only) reinstall?
5. Format my hard drive and reinstall everything?

I didn't find as post that addressed how to get back to a more pristine
state with my network. And, if I can get there, do I run the wizard again on
both computers?

Do my current symptoms matter in making the choice?

I'm hoping that others will benefit from your answers, too. Somehow I
suspect I'm not the only person who wound up in this predicament.

Charlie

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Assume that something went wrong in my Windows XP Home SP2 2-computer
network. Being clueless, I tried all the built-in Microsoft fixes, including
repeated use of the network wizard, with no result. Then I read some stuff
on the Internet and tried various fixes with no regard to the systematic way
to solve problems recommended by PChuck. What I created was, of course, a
mess. Is there some way to clean it all off and start from scratch, whatever
"scratch" may be?

Do I:

1. Delete all network prootocols (except TCP/IP which won't delete)?
2. Uninstall my NIC? (Which reinstalls when I reboot)
3. Try the Windows Repair installation?
4. Try the Windows (only) reinstall?
5. Format my hard drive and reinstall everything?

I didn't find as post that addressed how to get back to a more pristine
state with my network. And, if I can get there, do I run the wizard again on
both computers?

Do my current symptoms matter in making the choice?

I'm hoping that others will benefit from your answers, too. Somehow I
suspect I'm not the only person who wound up in this predicament.

Charlie

#1 and #2 might help. I wouldn't do #3, #4, or #5 unless all other
possible fixes fail.

If you'll post a news group message describing the current state of
the network (installed network components, what works, what doesn't
work, complete text of all error messages, etc), someone can probably
help.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Hi Charlie,
I know exactly how you feel. I am having a similar problem like you. Lost
connectivity between my 2 PCs on a simple LAN using a cross over cable.
Somehow it seems like starting all over from scratch might be the best way to
fix the problem. Except us being newbies to networking doesn't know where to
start.

I have posted my problem earlier in this forum. Chuck has been very patient
and helpful. We are still trying to solve it.. If you are interested you
might want to look up my post and share our experiences. Refer "Subject:
Problem started after upgrading to Zone Alarm V6". Dated 10/11/2005.

Hope to see your problem solved soon. Maybe it might also be relevant for me.

Regards, Edmondo.

 

[Guest]

#1 and #2 might help. I wouldn't do #3, #4, or #5 unless all other
possible fixes fail.

If you'll post a news group message describing the current state of
the network (installed network components, what works, what doesn't
work, complete text of all error messages, etc), someone can probably
help.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Thanks for your response, Steve. What I had in mind was trying to return my
computer to the state it was in before I ever ran the Network Wizard. I look
at the incredible number of requests for help in this newsgroup, and it
amazes me that Microsoft doesn't have a way (other than System Restore) to
reset the OS to where I can just run the wizard and get it right. After I
deleted the protocols and the net card, the NIC reinstalled itself but I got
a message that there was now "Local Connection 3" instead of no local
connection at all. I'd like to know what else I can change, delete or modify
to get back to the Beginning.

If I'd known that trying to shut off ICS manually could trash my local
network, I would have set a restore point before I messed with it. It's a
bitter lesson if I can't recover from my impetuousness. DO you know any way
to get there from here?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Thanks for your response, Steve. What I had in mind was trying to return my
computer to the state it was in before I ever ran the Network Wizard.

You're welcome, Charlie. Unfortunately, I don't think that's
possible. At the Beginning, Windows XP isn't fully configured for
networking. Running the Network Setup Wizard changes some settings to
enable networking features. I don't know of a way to undo those
settings, and it's not necessary.

I look
at the incredible number of requests for help in this newsgroup, and it
amazes me that Microsoft doesn't have a way (other than System Restore) to
reset the OS to where I can just run the wizard and get it right. After I
deleted the protocols and the net card, the NIC reinstalled itself but I got
a message that there was now "Local Connection 3" instead of no local
connection at all. I'd like to know what else I can change, delete or modify
to get back to the Beginning.

Windows XP automatically creates a local area network connection for
an installed NIC. It isn't possible to have "no local connection at
all" if a NIC is installed, either now or at the Beginning.

I think that you CAN just run the Wizard and get it right.

If I'd known that trying to shut off ICS manually could trash my local
network, I would have set a restore point before I messed with it. It's a
bitter lesson if I can't recover from my impetuousness.

I don't know what you did when you "shut off ICS manually", so I can't
say what went wrong. If I wanted to shut off ICS manually, I'd go to
the shared Internet connection's Properties | Advanced and un-check
the box that says "Allow other network users to connect through this
computer's Internet connection". That doesn't trash a network.

DO you know any way to get there from here?

I'm sorry, but I don't know what "here" is or what "there" is.

Instead of trying to "get back to the Beginning", I suggest that you
start from where things are now and configure the network to do what
you want. That should be possible by using the Network Setup Wizard.

If you'd like help, please give a full description of "here"
(including what works, what doesn't work, and the text of all error
messages) and "there". I'm sure that someone can help.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

You're welcome, Charlie. Unfortunately, I don't think that's
possible. At the Beginning, Windows XP isn't fully configured for
networking. Running the Network Setup Wizard changes some settings to
enable networking features. I don't know of a way to undo those
settings, and it's not necessary.


Windows XP automatically creates a local area network connection for
an installed NIC. It isn't possible to have "no local connection at
all" if a NIC is installed, either now or at the Beginning.

I think that you CAN just run the Wizard and get it right.


I don't know what you did when you "shut off ICS manually", so I can't
say what went wrong. If I wanted to shut off ICS manually, I'd go to
the shared Internet connection's Properties | Advanced and un-check
the box that says "Allow other network users to connect through this
computer's Internet connection". That doesn't trash a network.


I'm sorry, but I don't know what "here" is or what "there" is.

Instead of trying to "get back to the Beginning", I suggest that you
start from where things are now and configure the network to do what
you want. That should be possible by using the Network Setup Wizard.

If you'd like help, please give a full description of "here"
(including what works, what doesn't work, and the text of all error
messages) and "there". I'm sure that someone can help.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Thanks for your suggestions. I have followed steps 1 & 2 and run the
wizard. Some problems still showed up, but it seems a better beginning. My
current new thread is "Need Help with Browser/Name Resolution Problem," if
you care to contribute some wisdom.