Local network not accessible

[Master of Ballantrae]

Please help.
I used the Network Setup Wizard to create a local area network around a hub.
The hub is connected to the Internet with a DSL.
My other computer uses Windows ME. Both computers have Norton NAV.
The computer with Windows ME was configured with a floppy and the Network
Setup Wizard of Windows XP.
The Firewall is up on the Windows XP computer, with the exception for Files
and Printer Sharing.
When I try to see the workgroup computers in "My Network Places". here is
the message I receive:
("Workgroupname" is not accessible. You might not have permission to use
this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out
if you have access permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is
not currently available OK)
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

Make sure you have the same Workgroup name on each PC.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Please help.
I used the Network Setup Wizard to create a local area network around a hub.
The hub is connected to the Internet with a DSL.
My other computer uses Windows ME. Both computers have Norton NAV.
The computer with Windows ME was configured with a floppy and the Network
Setup Wizard of Windows XP.
The Firewall is up on the Windows XP computer, with the exception for Files
and Printer Sharing.
When I try to see the workgroup computers in "My Network Places". here is
the message I receive:
("Workgroupname" is not accessible. You might not have permission to use
this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out
if you have access permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is
not currently available OK)
Any help would be appreciated.

Are you sure that you have a hub, not a broadband router? What is its
make and model number?

This answer applies to computers that connect to a cable modem or DSL
modem through a hub or switch. It doesn't apply if they connect
through a broadband router.

Your network setup is described in the Windows XP Help and Support
program. Click Start | Help and Support, search for the topic
"Network configurations overview", and look at the section labeled
"Individual Internet connections".

The solution given there is to install the IPX/SPX protocol for file
sharing and to disable file sharing on TCP/IP. I've written a web
page showing how to do it:

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

There are two reasons to use IPX/SPX instead of TCP/IP for file
sharing:

1. If your cable or DSL provider assigns IP addresses in different
subnets to your computers, it isn't possible for them to communicate
with each other using TCP/IP.

2. Since your computers connect directly to the Internet through the
cable or DSL modem, they receive public IP addresses that are
accessible by everyone on the Internet. Using TCP/IP for file sharing
could let other people access your shared files.

An alternative would be to replace the hub or switch with a broadband
router, connect the cable modem to its WAN port, and connect the
computers to its LAN ports. In that case:

1. You'd only need to get one IP address from your cable modem
provider, which would save you money if your ISP charges a monthly fee
for more than one IP address.

2. The broadband router would assign private IP addresses to your
computers. Private IP addresses aren't accessible by other Internet
users, so your network would be safe.

3. You could use TCP/IP as the only network protocol, with no need for
IPX/SPX.
--
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

 

[Master of Ballantrae]

Steve
I could not reply because my Email was on the fritz.
In fact, my computers are connected to a Netgear MR814 router (four Ethernet
ports and a wireless antenna).
An Alcatel "Speed Touch Home" is connected to an Ethernet port in the
router. The Alcatel is connected to a high speed Internet ISP.
Maybe your solution with IPX/SPX is a good one, but I do not like leaving
the TCP/IP protocol.
Magnum

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Steve
I could not reply because my Email was on the fritz.
In fact, my computers are connected to a Netgear MR814 router (four Ethernet
ports and a wireless antenna).
An Alcatel "Speed Touch Home" is connected to an Ethernet port in the
router. The Alcatel is connected to a high speed Internet ISP.
Maybe your solution with IPX/SPX is a good one, but I do not like leaving
the TCP/IP protocol.
Magnum

Thanks for the details, Magnum. You have a broadband router, not a
hub, so the hub-only information that I gave doesn't apply. TCP/IP is
the only protocol that you need.

Network browsing problems in My Network Places are very common and can
be hard to fix.

I recommend not using My Network Places at all. On each computer,
create a desktop shortcut to the other computer:

1. Right-click a blank place on the desktop.

2. Click New | Shortcut.

3. For the location of the item, type the other computer's name, in
this format: \\computer

4. Click Next.

5. Click Finish.

From then on, access the other computer by clicking its desktop
shortcut.
--
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