Networking Problem

[Guest]

Hello all. I have a Dell pentium III server, an Insignia Desktop, and an
Avaretech laptop. Using a cable modem (hi-speed internet) and a linksys
router. The server is hard wired to the router and my desktop and laptop are
using wireless NIC's. I'm using Windows Server 2003 on the server and XP Pro
on the other two computers. My goal is to make my server a file & print
server. My printer is physically connected to the server and I've configured
it as a file & print server in a "Workgroup" network, not a domain. I have
named all three computers with the same name. The other two computers are
not seeing the server/printer so I'm unable to print from any computer except
the server. Also, since this is my 3rd attempt, I have re-installed WinSer03
for the third time on my server. The biggest problem, other than the
computers not recognizing my printer, is that the workgroups that I created
twice before (under different names) in "My Network Places" are still in the
directory on my desktop and laptop. I want to get rid of these workgroups to
start fresh on all of the machines. I've searched the online knowledge base
on how to delete an existing workgroup or domain network in "My Network
Places" but have come up empty handed. Does anyone out there know how to get
rid of an old network that you've set up in "My Network Places" on a computer
running Win XP Home or XP Pro? I'm not even going to set up my server as a
file & print server until I can delete these old workgroups as I want to
start fresh with a new workgroup name for the whole network. Any suggestions
would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

" I have named all three computers with the same name."

Probably this is a typo? You want the computers to be joined to the same
workgroup, but each computer should have a unique computer name.

On the Server create user accounts which exactly match the user names and
passwords used to log onto the XP machines. If you don't use passwords,
create them. Old workgroups should disappear automatically, but this may
take awhile.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Guest]

thank you Doug. I will try what U suggested. My instructor told me to
install Active Directory and to promote the server to a domain controller
before setting it up as a print server. Does that make any sense to U?

Rick Sebastian

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Not really - the Server OS will work just fine in a workgroup. If you
install Active directory, you will want to join the client machines to the
domain and create domain user accounts. No reason it won't work, but no
particular reason to expect it to solve the file/printer sharing issue.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Guest]

Hi Doug. I figured it out. I installed and configured my server as a DNS
server 1st, then installed Active Directory. I'm able to print from any
computer to the server and also able to share any file that I want. Thanks
much for ur help.

Rick Sebastian