Network Communication Failure

[Gerry]

PROBLEM
The problem I am having is that neither computer can see
the other. Therefore, I can't see files, etc. on the other
computer.

WHAT I WANT TO DO
All I want to do is to be able to copy files between
computers and share hardware, such as a printer.

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
I want to discribe my set up, since maybe the hardware I'm
using is not capable of doing what I think it should be
doing. I am trying to get my laptop and desktop computers
networked together. Both computers are using XP pro. I
went through the network wizard on both computers and the
wizard claims that they are both set up.
The hardward is set up as follows: I am using a Linksys
Wireless-G broadband router. The router is hardwired to my
cable modem, hardwired to my desktop and has a wireless
connection to my laptop. My laptop is using a Linksys
Wireless-G notebook adapter. Both computers have internet
access, but neither can see each other. Linksys literature
claims that the router can be used for networking.

Is this problem, a hardware, software, firewall or what?
Any ideas?

 

[Chuck]

PROBLEM
The problem I am having is that neither computer can see
the other. Therefore, I can't see files, etc. on the other
computer.

WHAT I WANT TO DO
All I want to do is to be able to copy files between
computers and share hardware, such as a printer.

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
I want to discribe my set up, since maybe the hardware I'm
using is not capable of doing what I think it should be
doing. I am trying to get my laptop and desktop computers
networked together. Both computers are using XP pro. I
went through the network wizard on both computers and the
wizard claims that they are both set up.
The hardward is set up as follows: I am using a Linksys
Wireless-G broadband router. The router is hardwired to my
cable modem, hardwired to my desktop and has a wireless
connection to my laptop. My laptop is using a Linksys
Wireless-G notebook adapter. Both computers have internet
access, but neither can see each other. Linksys literature
claims that the router can be used for networking.

Is this problem, a hardware, software, firewall or what?
Any ideas?

Gerry,

Please provide ipconfig information for each computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, copy and paste into your next post.

Are you running both Client for Microsoft Networks, and File and Printer Sharing
for Microsoft Networks (Local Area Connection - Properties), on both computers?
Do you have shares setup on both?

Are you running NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (Local Area Connection - Properties - TCP/IP
- Properties - Advanced - WINS) on both computers?

Make sure the browser service is running on both. Control Panel -
Administrative Tools - Services. Verify that the Computer Browser service is
started.

Check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control Panel - Folder Options - View -
Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled. With XP Pro, you need to have the
SFS settings the same on each computer.

If SFS is disabled, check the Local Security Policy (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

If you set the Local Security Policy to "Guest only", make sure that the Guest
account is enabled, and has an identical, non-blank, password on all computers.
If "Classic", setup and use a common account with identical, non-blank, password
on all computers.

Do either / both of the computers have a software firewall (ICF or third party)?
If so, you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139,
445 and UDP 137, 138, 445, and / or by identifying the other computers as
present in the Local (Trusted) zone. Firewall configurations are a very common
cause of (network) browser problems.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Gerry]

-----Original Message-----


Gerry,

Hi Chuck,

Please provide ipconfig information for each computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all
c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, copy and paste

into your next post.

LAPTOP ipconfig:

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : GerryLT
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Wireless-G
Notebook Adapter with SpeedBooster
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0C-41-2C-FA-38
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.102
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.2.16.25
68.2.16.30
68.6.16.30
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, May 02,
2004 4:11:21 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, May 03,
2004 4:11:21 PM

Ethernet adapter Network Bridge:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : MAC Bridge Miniport
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 22-71-73-E9-95-0A
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.83.132
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

DESKTOP ipconfig:

Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : GerryDT
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R)
PRO/100 VE Network Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-E0-18-E1-98-46
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.101
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.2.16.25
68.2.16.30
68.6.16.30
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, May 02,
2004 2:52:17 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, May 03,
2004 2:52:17 PM

Are you running both Client for Microsoft Networks, and File and Printer Sharing
for Microsoft Networks (Local Area Connection -

Properties), on both computers?

Do you have shares setup on both?

YES for both computers.

Are you running NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (Local Area Connection - Properties - TCP/IP
- Properties - Advanced - WINS) on both computers?

Running default on both computers.

Make sure the browser service is running on both. Control Panel -
Administrative Tools - Services. Verify that the Computer Browser service is
started.

YES for both computers.

Check to see if Simple File Sharing (Control Panel - Folder Options - View -
Advanced settings) is enabled or disabled. With XP Pro, you need to have the
SFS settings the same on each computer.

YES for both computers.

If SFS is disabled, check the Local Security Policy (Control Panel -
Administrative Tools). Under Local Policies - Security Options, look at
"Network access: Sharing and security model", and ensure it's set to "Classic -
local users authenticate as themselves".

Both computers are set to Classic.

If you set the Local Security Policy to "Guest only", make sure that the Guest
account is enabled, and has an identical, non-blank, password on all computers.
If "Classic", setup and use a common account with identical, non-blank, password
on all computers.

Both computers have the same, non-blank, password.

Do either / both of the computers have a software firewall (ICF or third party)?
If so, you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139,
445 and UDP 137, 138, 445, and / or by identifying the other computers as
present in the Local (Trusted) zone. Firewall

configurations are a very common

cause of (network) browser problems.

I couldn't figure out how to identify the other computer as
present in the local zone, so I opened the ports you
suggested. I used the same number for both external and
internal port number. I also used my computer name,
instead of the IP address, when it asks for "Name or IP
address of the computer hosting this service on your
network." I did this for both computers.

I am still not able to get the two computers to see each other.

Here is some additional information I collected, when I let
the Network Troubleshooter scan my computers, maybe it will
be helpful:

LAPTOP:
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter, IP Address=192.168.1.102
(FAILED)
MAC Bridge Miniport, DHCP Server=255.255.255.255
(INVALID IP ADDRESS)
MAC Bridge Miniport, IP Address=169.254.83.132 (FAILED)

DESKTOP:
Intel PRO/100 VE Network Connector, IP
Address=192.168.1.101 (FAILED)

Thanks,
Gerry

 

[Chuck]

Properties), on both computers?

YES for both computers.


Running default on both computers.


YES for both computers.


YES for both computers.


Both computers are set to Classic.


Both computers have the same, non-blank, password.

configurations are a very common

I couldn't figure out how to identify the other computer as
present in the local zone, so I opened the ports you
suggested. I used the same number for both external and
internal port number. I also used my computer name,
instead of the IP address, when it asks for "Name or IP
address of the computer hosting this service on your
network." I did this for both computers.

I am still not able to get the two computers to see each other.

Here is some additional information I collected, when I let
the Network Troubleshooter scan my computers, maybe it will
be helpful:

LAPTOP:
Wireless-G Notebook Adapter, IP Address=192.168.1.102
(FAILED)
MAC Bridge Miniport, DHCP Server=255.255.255.255
(INVALID IP ADDRESS)
MAC Bridge Miniport, IP Address=169.254.83.132 (FAILED)

DESKTOP:
Intel PRO/100 VE Network Connector, IP
Address=192.168.1.101 (FAILED)

Gerry,

What firewall is it that you had to setup?

Those "FAILED" indications disturb me. Particularly since the ipconfig data
shows both adapters connecting to the router, and getting ip addresses.

What is the bridge on GerryLT? Get rid of it if you can.

Can you access the wireless log on the router? Does it give you any clues? How
about diagnostics for the wireless adapters?

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----


Gerry,

What firewall is it that you had to setup?

Microsoft XP-pro ICF

Those "FAILED" indications disturb me. Particularly since the ipconfig data
shows both adapters connecting to the router, and getting ip addresses.

What is the bridge on GerryLT? Get rid of it if you can.

The bridge is on my laptop and I'm not sure what it is for.
Maybe Linksys installation installed it or maybe it was
auto-setup, since the laptop has a built in LAN port and
I'm using a wireless network card. I don't know.

Can you access the wireless log on the router? Does it give you any clues? How
about diagnostics for the wireless adapters?

I can access the router from either the laptop or desktop,
but it doesn't give me any clues. I can't find any
diagnostics for the wireless adapter.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Gerry

 

[Chuck]

Microsoft XP-pro ICF


The bridge is on my laptop and I'm not sure what it is for.
Maybe Linksys installation installed it or maybe it was
auto-setup, since the laptop has a built in LAN port and
I'm using a wireless network card. I don't know.


I can access the router from either the laptop or desktop,
but it doesn't give me any clues. I can't find any
diagnostics for the wireless adapter.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Gerry
bad thing.

Gerry,

I'd strongly bet that the bridge is the cause of your problem. Let's take a
look at the static route, maybe a clue there.

Try disabling ICF on both computers. ICF is only intended for protection
against direct connection to the internet - the NAT router protects you, against
the internet, in your case. For protection against the wireless network, you
should install Sygate or Zone Alarm, after we get this working.

Please provide static route tables for each computer - GerryDT and GerryLT.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "route print >c:\route.txt" into the command window -
Open c:\route.txt in Notepad, copy and paste into your next post.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Gerry]

-----Original Message-----

Gerry,

I'd strongly bet that the bridge is the cause of your problem.

I'm selecting "view workgroup computers" to check and see
if my computers are seeing each other. Is there a better
way to do this?

I disabled the bridge with no positive results.

Let's take a

look at the static route, maybe a clue there.

Try disabling ICF on both computers. ICF is only intended for protection
against direct connection to the internet - the NAT router protects you, against
the internet, in your case. For protection against the wireless network, you
should install Sygate or Zone Alarm, after we get this working.

I turned off ICF on both computers with no positive results.

Please provide static route tables for each computer - GerryDT and GerryLT.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "route print >c:\route.txt" into the command window -
Open c:\route.txt in Notepad, copy and paste into your next post.

I've noticed when I do properties on the network bridge,
that there is a section called "select the adapters you
want to use to connect to computers on your local network".
I noticed that the Local Area connection and the 1394
connection were selected and the wireless network
connection was not. So I selected the wireless connection,
but still no results, except that I could no longer connect
to the internet.

Here is the laptop route results with the wireless
connection "selected" in the bridge:

===========================================================================Interface
List
0x1 ........................... MS TCP Loopback interface
0x3 ...22 71 73 e9 95 0a ...... MAC Bridge Miniport -
Packet Scheduler Miniport
======================================================================================================================================================Active
Routes:
Network Destination Netmask Gateway
Interface Metric
127.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 1
169.254.0.0 255.255.0.0 169.254.83.132
169.254.83.132 10
169.254.83.132 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 10
169.254.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.83.132
169.254.83.132 10
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 169.254.83.132
169.254.83.132 10
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.83.132
169.254.83.132 1
===========================================================================Persistent
Routes:
None


Here is the laptop route results with the wireless
connection "not selected" in the bridge:

===========================================================================Interface
List
0x1 ........................... MS TCP Loopback interface
0x3 ...22 71 73 e9 95 0a ...... MAC Bridge Miniport -
Packet Scheduler Miniport
0x20002 ...00 0c 41 2c fa 38 ...... Wireless-G Notebook
Adapter with SpeedBooster - Packet Scheduler Miniport
======================================================================================================================================================Active
Routes:
Network Destination Netmask Gateway
Interface Metric
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1
192.168.1.102 30
127.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 1
169.254.0.0 255.255.0.0 169.254.83.132
169.254.83.132 10
169.254.83.132 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 10
169.254.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.83.132
169.254.83.132 10
192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.102
192.168.1.102 30
192.168.1.102 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 30
192.168.1.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.102
192.168.1.102 30
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 169.254.83.132
169.254.83.132 10
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 192.168.1.102
192.168.1.102 30
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.83.132
169.254.83.132 1
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.102
192.168.1.102 1
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
===========================================================================Persistent
Routes:
None


Here is the desktop route results:

===========================================================================
Interface List
0x1 ........................... MS TCP Loopback interface
0x2 ...00 e0 18 e1 98 46 ...... Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network
Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport
===========================================================================
===========================================================================
Active Routes:
Network Destination Netmask Gateway
Interface Metric
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1
192.168.1.101 20
127.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 1
192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.101
192.168.1.101 20
192.168.1.101 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 20
192.168.1.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.101
192.168.1.101 20
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 192.168.1.101
192.168.1.101 20
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.101
192.168.1.101 1
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
===========================================================================
Persistent Routes:
None


I hope this helps,
Gerry

 

[Chuck]

I'm selecting "view workgroup computers" to check and see
if my computers are seeing each other. Is there a better
way to do this?

I disabled the bridge with no positive results.

Let's take a

I turned off ICF on both computers with no positive results.


I've noticed when I do properties on the network bridge,
that there is a section called "select the adapters you
want to use to connect to computers on your local network".
I noticed that the Local Area connection and the 1394
connection were selected and the wireless network
connection was not. So I selected the wireless connection,
but still no results, except that I could no longer connect
to the internet.

<SNIP Static Route listings>

Gerry,

The bridge is the cause of the problem, or is preventing us from seeing the
problem.

When selected in the bridge, the wireless connection in GerryLT uses the ip
address of the bridge - 169.254.83.132. That address is on a different subnet
from GerryDT, which uses 192.168.1.101. Which gives you no connection from
GerryLT to GerryDT.

When not selected in the bridge, the wireless connection in GerryLT now has an
ip address - 192.168.1.102. Unfortunately, all internet traffic is routed thru
the bridge - 169.254.83.132. Which gives you no internet connection.

IMHO, you need to start by deleting all connections in the bridge. If that
doesn't solve the problem (and doesn't create any worse problem), you need to un
install then re install all network connections and hardware. By un installing
then re installing everything, a route table on GerryLT, similar to the one on
GerryDT, will hopefully be built.

One of the challenges here is that, with the bridge existing, none of the
network devices which it contains are listed in the output from "ipconfig" or
"route print". So we can't really know what you have without deleting the
bridge.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Gerry]

-----Original Message-----

wrote:



<SNIP Static Route listings>

Gerry,

The bridge is the cause of the problem, or is preventing us from seeing the
problem.

When selected in the bridge, the wireless connection in GerryLT uses the ip
address of the bridge - 169.254.83.132. That address is on a different subnet
from GerryDT, which uses 192.168.1.101. Which gives you no connection from
GerryLT to GerryDT.

When not selected in the bridge, the wireless connection in GerryLT now has an
ip address - 192.168.1.102. Unfortunately, all internet traffic is routed thru
the bridge - 169.254.83.132. Which gives you no internet connection.

IMHO, you need to start by deleting all connections in the bridge. If that
doesn't solve the problem (and doesn't create any worse problem), you need to un
install then re install all network connections and hardware. By un installing
then re installing everything, a route table on GerryLT, similar to the one on
GerryDT, will hopefully be built.

One of the challenges here is that, with the bridge existing, none of the
network devices which it contains are listed in the output from "ipconfig" or
"route print". So we can't really know what you have without deleting the
bridge.

I deleted all connections in the bridge and disabled the
bridge. I get the following route table from the laptop:


===========================================================================Interface
List
0x1 ........................... MS TCP Loopback interface
0x2 ...00 0c 41 2c fa 38 ...... Wireless-G Notebook Adapter
with SpeedBooster - Packet Scheduler Miniport
0x10005 ...00 08 02 9d 25 da ...... Intel(R) PRO/100 VE
Network Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport
======================================================================================================================================================Active
Routes:
Network Destination Netmask Gateway
Interface Metric
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1
192.168.1.102 20
127.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 1
192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.102
192.168.1.102 20
192.168.1.102 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 20
192.168.1.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.102
192.168.1.102 20
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 192.168.1.102
192.168.1.102 20
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.102
10005 1
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.102
192.168.1.102 1
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
===========================================================================Persistent
Routes:
None


Desktop route table:

===========================================================================
Interface List
0x1 ........................... MS TCP Loopback interface
0x2 ...00 e0 18 e1 98 46 ...... Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network
Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport
===========================================================================
===========================================================================
Active Routes:
Network Destination Netmask Gateway
Interface Metric
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1
192.168.1.101 20
127.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 1
192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.101
192.168.1.101 20
192.168.1.101 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1
127.0.0.1 20
192.168.1.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.101
192.168.1.101 20
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 192.168.1.101
192.168.1.101 20
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.101
192.168.1.101 1
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
===========================================================================
Persistent Routes:
None



Here is the Linksys router DHCP info that you may find usful:


The DHCP screen allows you to configure the settings for
the Router's Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
server function. A DHCP server automatically assigns an IP
address to each computer on your network. The Router can be
used as a DHCP server for your network. If you already have
a DHCP server for your network, then disable the DHCP
Server feature.

DHCP Server: Enabled
Starting IP Address: 192.168.1.100
Maximum Number of
DHCP Users: 50
Client Lease Time: 1 day
Static DNS 1: 0.0.0.0
2: 0.0.0.0
3: 0.0.0.0
WINS: 0.0.0.0

DHCP Active IP Table
DHCP Server IP Address: 192.168.1.1
Client Host Name IP Address MAC Address Expires
GerryLT 192.168.1.102 00:0C:41:2C:FA:38 23:49:35
GerryDT 192.168.1.101 00:E0:18:E1:98:46 23:20:38



On this screen, configure the routing mode and settings for
the Router. Gateway mode is recommended for most users.

Operating Mode: Gateway
Static Routing: 1()
Destination IP Address: 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0
Gateway: 0.0.0.0
Interface: LAN & Wireless

Routing Table Entry List
Destination LAN IP Subnet Mask Gateway Interface
192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 0.0.0.0 LAN & Wireless
68.98.48.0 255.255.240.0 0.0.0.0 WAN (Internet)
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 68.98.48.1 WAN (Internet)


Hope this helps, I have not uninstalled or reinstalled any
network connections at this point.

Gerry