net use , ipconfig and map network drive

[Ron]

Hi I have a friend who is having problems setting up a home network.
Computer A connects to computer B, maps computer B's hard drive and can
transfer files from computer B to computerA. In other words, works as
expected.

Computer B can ping computer A, net view shows both computers in a command
window, however net use * \\computer A does nothing. Also if in any explorer
window TOOLS MAP NETWORK DRIVE does nothing. No window no egg timer nothing.
I even tried another network card but it made no difference but after
reinstalling the NIC computer B now can use ipconfig which never worked
before. Have tried both computers with/without Norton and Windows firewalls
also no difference.

I am completely baffled and after he has transferred all his son's files to
computer A we are going to format and reinstall windows XP. Also computer A
will connect to the internet through its USB broadband modem.

Suggestions?
Ron

 

[chrispsg]

Try "net use driveletter: \\commputername\sharename" (without quoutes)

psg

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi I have a friend who is having problems setting up a home network.
Computer A connects to computer B, maps computer B's hard drive and can
transfer files from computer B to computerA. In other words, works as
expected.

Computer B can ping computer A, net view shows both computers in a command
window, however net use * \\computer A does nothing. Also if in any explorer
window TOOLS MAP NETWORK DRIVE does nothing. No window no egg timer nothing.
I even tried another network card but it made no difference but after
reinstalling the NIC computer B now can use ipconfig which never worked
before. Have tried both computers with/without Norton and Windows firewalls
also no difference.

I am completely baffled and after he has transferred all his son's files to
computer A we are going to format and reinstall windows XP. Also computer A
will connect to the internet through its USB broadband modem.

Suggestions?
Ron

Are you specifying a share name as well as a computer name in the "net
use" command? For example:

net use * \\computera\shareddocs

Try accessing Computer A directly, without mapping a network drive, by
typing its name in the Start | Run box in this format:

\\computera

Are there any relevant messages in Control Panel | Performance and
Maintenance | Administrative Tools | Event Viewer? For more
information, see:

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308427
--
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

 

[Ron]

Try "net use driveletter: \\commputername\sharename" (without quoutes)

psg

We have tried that It works on computer B but not on computer A.
On computer B the commands work, whether at a command prompt or in windows
try them on computer A and nothing.
I am looking for suggestions as to why computer A does not respond whereas
computer B does.
Ron

 

[chrispsg]

is file sharing enabled on ComputerA? If this is an XP home installstion
disregard as simple file sharing can't be turned off in Home Edition.

psg

 

[chrispsg]

Ron,

Make sure the computer browser service us running on Computer B.

psg

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

is file sharing enabled on ComputerA? If this is an XP home installstion
disregard as simple file sharing can't be turned off in Home Edition.

psg

You can disable file sharing in XP Home Edition:

1. Open the Network Connections folder.

2. Right-click the LAN connection.

3. Click Properties.

4. Un-check the box for "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft
Networks".

That's a completely different setting than "simple file sharing".
--
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

 

[Ron]

You can disable file sharing in XP Home Edition:

1. Open the Network Connections folder.

2. Right-click the LAN connection.

3. Click Properties.

4. Un-check the box for "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft
Networks".

That's a completely different setting than "simple file sharing".
--
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

Hi Suggestions about getting commands correct etc are irrelevant as the same
command will work on computer B but not on computer A. Both have file
sharing enabled. Don't know about \\computerA

What program or file runs when you go to TOOLS/MAP NETWORK DRIVE? because
whatever it is does not seem to work.
Ron

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Ron,

Make sure the computer browser service us running on Computer B.

psg

It's a good idea, in general, to have the Computer Browser service
running, but it has nothing to do with mapping a network drive. The
"net use" command works fine, even with the Computer Browser service
stopped on all of the computers on a network.

The "net view" command requires at least one computer on the network
running the Computer Browser service.
--
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

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi Suggestions about getting commands correct etc are irrelevant as the same
command will work on computer B but not on computer A. Both have file
sharing enabled. Don't know about \\computerA

What program or file runs when you go to TOOLS/MAP NETWORK DRIVE? because
whatever it is does not seem to work.
Ron

Yes, it's irrelevant whether simple file sharing is enabled. That
setting doesn't determine whether you can map a network drive or
whether you can share files. I was reacting to what I interpreted as
a statement that you can't disable file sharing at all on Windows XP
Home Edition.
--
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

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I'm sorry, but I don't know. Did you follow my suggestion to look for
relevant error messages in Event Viewer?

The "net use" command depends on the Workstation service. You can
enable/disable that service by running "services.msc" at a command
prompt or by typing these commands:

net start workstation
net stop workstation
--
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

 

[chrispsg]

Please read under Turning on and Turning Off Simple File Sharing..

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040
psg

 

[chrispsg]

I didnt say "file and printer sharing" i said disregard as simple file
sharing can't be turned off in Home Edition.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Please read under Turning on and Turning Off Simple File Sharing..

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040
psg

That web page describes how to turn off simple file sharing, which is
only possible in XP Professional.

Why do you mention simple file sharing at all? Turning simple file
sharing on or off has nothing to do with whether file sharing is
enabled. It determines how a computer validates requests from other
computers to access its shared disks and folders.
--
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

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I didnt say "file and printer sharing" i said disregard as simple file
sharing can't be turned off in Home Edition.

That's right -- simple file sharing can't be turned off in Home
Edition. Turning simple file sharing on or off determines how a
computer validates requests from other computers to access its shared
disks and folders.

Why do you mention simple file sharing at all? What does it have to
do with the question being addressed here: failure of the "net use"
command or the "Map Network Drive" tool on another computer?
--
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

 

[chrispsg]

That's right -- simple file sharing can't be turned off in Home
Edition. Turning simple file sharing on or off determines how a
computer validates requests from other computers to access its shared
disks and folders.

Because that is what she is trying to do access a shared folder on Computer
A from Computer B.

psg