My computer is not pingable

[NightOwl]

My stand-alone home computer is running Windows XP Pro and Norton Internet
Security 2005.

It cannot be pinged by anyone from anywhere.

What could possibly be the problem?

Thanks,
Joan

 

[Galen]

In

My stand-alone home computer is running Windows XP Pro and Norton
Internet Security 2005.

It cannot be pinged by anyone from anywhere.

What could possibly be the problem?

Thanks,
Joan

You probably have your firewall set to be considered stealth which means
that people who ping your computer will not get a response as your computer
is set to not send back the ACK (acknowledgement) packet due to your
firewall's settings. I've never used Norton Internet Security but I'd wager
that's probably what's causing it. Did you have a more specific reason for
wanting people to ping you?

Galen
--

"My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me
the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am
in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial
stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for
mental exaltation." -- Sherlock Holmes

 

[NightOwl]

Correct. It must be a Norton Internet Security setting because when it is
disabled my computer can be pinged.

However, I do not know which setting has turned the computer into a
"Stealth" configuration. All I want to do is exchange family photos and
obtain documentation from my home computer when I am teaching a class of
seniors. Nothing nefarious, I assure you.

Thanks.

 

[Galen]

In

Correct. It must be a Norton Internet Security setting because when
it is disabled my computer can be pinged.

However, I do not know which setting has turned the computer into a
"Stealth" configuration. All I want to do is exchange family photos
and obtain documentation from my home computer when I am teaching a
class of seniors. Nothing nefarious, I assure you.

Thanks.

I'm afraid that I don't use Norton's security products though there's
probably a help file with it that you can use. I honestly haven't a clue,
there's probably some setting that says "stealth" or the like as that's the
usual term though I've heard "invisible" used as well. Either is not really
true but it just means that your PC eats the ping responses instead of
sending them back out with either an "authorative host not found" or a
"acknowledgement" packet. It simply doesn't eat any. I'd assume that with
your firewall enabled that unless you use a specific application for sharing
files (a personal server of sorts, there's plenty available and most have
some sort of security option) which you'd then set up and have set to allow
to pass through the firewall. All of that varies depending on the software
so all I can give you is generic terms to get you started.

Galen
--

"My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me
the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am
in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial
stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for
mental exaltation." -- Sherlock Holmes

 

[NightOwl]

Thanks for your help. Perhaps choosing another firewall is the best answer
after all.

Joan

 

[Bruce Chambers]

My stand-alone home computer is running Windows XP Pro and Norton Internet
Security 2005.

It cannot be pinged by anyone from anywhere.

What could possibly be the problem?

Thanks,
Joan

Is your Norton Internet Security's firewall configured to not return
ping requests? That's certainly the way it should be, under most
circumstances.


--

Bruce Chambers

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