I've lost my home network

[EricBro]

I tried to read through the previous posts, but it appears that there could
be any number of issues. Here's my story...

I have a home network with 2 wired desktops and a wireless laptop - all
running WinXP - plus a wired desktop running Vista Home Premium. All was
fine. Then, my Linksys WRT54G router, so I purchased a Linksys N wireless
router. Now, I'm in a mess.

My Vista desktop occasionally recognizes one of the wired XP machines. And
that XP machine occasionally sees the Vista machine. But it's inconsistent.
And neither can ever actually see any folders on the other. (File sharing is
on and some folders on each are shared.) The wireless laptop doesn't see any
other machines - ever.

I've tried all sorts of stuff - been through the MS KB and all the help
files I can find. I can't even remember all I've tried or I would try to
list them. I'm ready to start all over if anyone has any suggestions.

 

[smlunatick]

I tried to read through the previous posts, but it appears that there could
be any number of issues.  Here's my story...

I have a home network with 2 wired desktops and a wireless laptop - all
running WinXP - plus a wired desktop running Vista Home Premium.  All was
fine.  Then, my Linksys WRT54G router, so I purchased a Linksys N wireless
router.  Now, I'm in a mess.

My Vista desktop occasionally recognizes one of the wired XP machines.  And
that XP machine occasionally sees the Vista machine.  But it's inconsistent.  
And neither can ever actually see any folders on the other.  (File sharing is
on and some folders on each are shared.)  The wireless laptop doesn't see any
other machines - ever.

I've tried all sorts of stuff - been through the MS KB and all the help
files I can find.  I can't even remember all I've tried or I would try to
list them.  I'm ready to start all over if anyone has any suggestions.

Check every PC for any / all Internet security / anti-virus software.
Some newer software need to be told to trust the wireless SSID (for
the wireless adapters) and the wired "gateway" address.

 

[EricBro]

Thanks. I'm running Norton Anti-Virus on all machines, with Norton Internet
Security on one, and Norton Protection Center on another. I don't see any
options for identifying specific SSIDs.

But I did start fishing around in the Network Map functionality. In Norton
Internet Security, you're allowed to set the "Trust Level" (you have to click
through a couple of "edit" links). By default, it was set to "Protected". I
downgraded it to "Shared" and all three computers (wireless XP laptop, wired
XP desktop, wired Vista desktop) can now see each other.

Problem solved!! Your suggestion wasn't right on the mark, but it
definitely led me in the right direction. Thank you.

 

[smlunatick]

Thanks.  I'm running Norton Anti-Virus on all machines, with Norton Internet
Security on one, and Norton Protection Center on another. I don't see any
options for identifying specific SSIDs.  

But I did start fishing around in the Network Map functionality.  In Norton
Internet Security, you're allowed to set the "Trust Level" (you have to click
through a couple of "edit" links).  By default, it was set to "Protected".  I
downgraded it to "Shared" and all three computers (wireless XP laptop, wired
XP desktop, wired Vista desktop) can now see each other.  

Problem solved!!  Your suggestion wasn't right on the mark, but it
definitely led me in the right direction.  Thank you.

I'm running Norton 360 v2. Options changed description but the
importance was that you did find some settings to check / change.

If I do recall, my original problem was with Norton 360 v1 which its
firewall module did state Protected / Shared settings, which I was
never successful in changing. Then, my home PC had a "melt-down"
crash (to complicated to repair a 7 year old PC) and I replaced it.
My 360 v1 entitle me to an update to 360v2.