IP addresses

[Mark Corbelli]

I've been attempting to fix a network problem for a week and here is the
current state of affairs. Desktop connected to the internet and networked
via CAT5 to a laptop, both running XP. Desktop has a NIC that connects to a
cable modem and a second NIC connected to a switch. Laptop (the problem) and
a second desktop attach to the switch (not worried about the second desktop
right now, just the main computer and this new laptop I just got). Both are
utilizing a Network Bridge. The laptop has internet so the hardware is good.
I can't get file and print sharing. The desktop has a static IP address and
subnet mask. The desktop can see and access the files on the laptop when the
IP on the laptop is set to obtain automatically. The laptop also has
internet access but cannot browse the network under this configuration. When
I assign the laptop a static IP address, it can now browse the network, but
it loses internet access, plus, the desktop no longer sees the laptop. This
is driving me crazy.

 

[Jetro]

Break any bridge and install ISC on the main desktop. Reading Windows Help
would be enough.

 

[Mark Corbelli]

Sorry, I just seem to strike out with the help. I get to a point where I no
longer understand it (usually) then give up. At the risk of your rath, how
do you "break" the bridge and what is ISC?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I've been attempting to fix a network problem for a week and here is the
current state of affairs. Desktop connected to the internet and networked
via CAT5 to a laptop, both running XP. Desktop has a NIC that connects to a
cable modem and a second NIC connected to a switch. Laptop (the problem) and
a second desktop attach to the switch (not worried about the second desktop
right now, just the main computer and this new laptop I just got). Both are
utilizing a Network Bridge. The laptop has internet so the hardware is good.
I can't get file and print sharing. The desktop has a static IP address and
subnet mask. The desktop can see and access the files on the laptop when the
IP on the laptop is set to obtain automatically. The laptop also has
internet access but cannot browse the network under this configuration. When
I assign the laptop a static IP address, it can now browse the network, but
it loses internet access, plus, the desktop no longer sees the laptop. This
is driving me crazy.

There's no need for a network bridge, and it can cause problems,
especially when it contains a 1394 connection. Open the Network
Connections folder, right-click the network bridge, and delete it.
I've written a web page with more information:

XP ICS - Network Bridge
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/networkbridge.htm

From you description, I assume that you've enabled Internet Connection
Sharing on the desktop's cable modem connection. Configure the laptop
to obtain an IP address automatically, and it will get its TCP/IP
settings from the desktop.

Make sure that NetBIOS Over TCP/IP is enabled on both computers:

1. Open the Network Connections folder.
2. Right click the local area network connection and click Properties.
3. Double click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
4. Click Advanced.
5. Click WINS.
6. Click the Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP button.

If those suggestions don't solve the file sharing problem, these tests
will help find it. Substitute the desktop's actual computer name:

1. Open a command prompt window on the laptop and enter these lines.
Each one should get four replies:

ping 192.168.0.1
ping desktop

2. Enter these lines in the Start | Run box on the laptop. Each one
should show the shared disks and folders on the desktop:

\\192.168.0.1
\\desktop
--
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

 

[Jetro]

If you tell me the 'rath' meaning I would tell you how high the risk could
be )
ISC is a typo indeed. This is the Internet Connection Sharing aka ICS.
Follow the Steve's instructions and you should be fine.

 

[Mark Corbelli]

Thanks

 

[Mark Corbelli]

Steve:

The 1394 connection appears as a seperate icon. Should I also delete that?
Also, after deleting the bridge the protocols go back to the setwork
connection. There is a 1394 box checked. Should that box be unchecked?
Finally, should I also get rid of the bridge on the new laptop?

Thanks

Mark

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Steve:

The 1394 connection appears as a seperate icon. Should I also delete that?

No, don't delete the 1394 connection. It's there because your
computer has an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connector. If you won't be using
it for networking, right click and disable the 1394 connection.

Also, after deleting the bridge the protocols go back to the setwork
connection. There is a 1394 box checked. Should that box be unchecked?

I'm sorry, but I don't understand the question. Where are you seeing
this box, and what does it say? It's possible that disabling the 1394
connection will remove the 1394 box.

Finally, should I also get rid of the bridge on the new laptop?

Yes, and disable the 1394 connection on the laptop, too, if you won't
be using it for networking.

Thanks

Mark

You're welcome.
--
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

 

[Mark Corbelli]

Hey Steve...
That pretty much took care of it for my daughter, she can now use the
internet, see the main computer files and also print. I can see her files
but cannot access them as I get a message that the network path was not
found and or I need admin. priveledges. I did not enable netbios on her
machine. Do I need to?

Thanks

Mark

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hey Steve...
That pretty much took care of it for my daughter, she can now use the
internet, see the main computer files and also print. I can see her files
but cannot access them as I get a message that the network path was not
found and or I need admin. priveledges. I did not enable netbios on her
machine. Do I need to?

Thanks

Mark

You're welcome, Mark. Yes, enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP on her
computer. If that doesn't fix the problem, run "ipconfig /all" on her
computer and look at the "Node Type" at the beginning of the output.
If it says "Peer-to-Peer" (which should actually be "Point-to-Point")
that's the problem. It means that the computer only uses a WINS
server, which isn't available on a peer-to-peer network for NetBIOS
name resolution.

If that's the case, run the registry editor, open this key:

HLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netbt\Parameters

and delete these values if they're present:

NodeType
DhcpNodeType

Reboot, then try network access again.

If that doesn't fix it, open that registry key again, create a DWORD
value called "NodeType", and set it to 1 for "Broadcast" or 4 for
"Mixed".

For details, see these Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:

Default Node Type for Microsoft Clients
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;160177

TCP/IP and NBT Configuration Parameters for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314053
--
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

 

[Mark Corbelli]

Frustration...

I had this think almost licked. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, I lost the
network. I can't explain it. I wasn't really doing any of the new stuff you
said to do yet. I thought the cable was out. Anyway, the only thing I could
do to get tha damn thing back was to run the network wizard again. So I'm
back to square one. I don' have the patience to keep doing this tonight.
I'll start over again tomorrow....