networking two computers

[Guest]

i have connected 2 computers(both xp pro) thru a wired hub. both can access
the internet but i cant find the computers on the network. I have run the
network wizard on both and enabled sharing on both. i would appricate any
help. thanks

 

[Carey Holzman]

If you want to work this through one-on-one, please email me and I will walk
you through the steps.

(e-mail address removed)

 

[Lou Ramsey]

If you want to work this through one-on-one, please email me and I will walk
you through the steps.

(e-mail address removed)

Scott,

From other posts by Carey, it appears that his altruistic offer to
provide you with free, one-on-one advice is prompted by his inability to
accept criticism. Criticism is an unavoidable result of posting on
Usenet. Instead of posting his advice on Usenet, so all can see and
learn, he chooses to provide advice thru email.

Consider carefully the free advice which he provides. If the advice
includes instructions to install additional network components, consider
this.

The Windows platform (including Windows 9x and NT/2000/XP) has its
networking infrastructure based upon TCP/IP, with NetBIOS Over TCP/IP
(NBT) used as an interface between TCP/IP and the various networking
applications.

Any properly configured installation of Windows will run just fine with
these components.

Be selective when accepting advice, web pages or otherwise, that
contains instructions to install redundant and unnecessary components,
such as IPX/SPX or NetBEUI. Adding these extra components may serve as
a workaround, but will add needless complications that may cause
problems in the future.

Diagnose and fix the problem - don't just fix the symptoms.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

i have connected 2 computers(both xp pro) thru a wired hub. both can access
the internet but i cant find the computers on the network. I have run the
network wizard on both and enabled sharing on both. i would appricate any
help. thanks

What connection method did you select when the Network Setup Wizard
asked?

If you said "Other" and then "This computer connects to the Internet
directly or through a network hub", that's the problem. The Wizard
turned on the Windows XP firewall to protect your computers from
access by Internet hackers. Unfortunately, that setting also prevents
you computers from communicating with each other. A setup where both
computers connect to a cable modem or DSL modem through a hub (not
through a broadband router) is inherently insecure and requires
special means to make it safe.
--
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

 

[Chuck]

i have connected 2 computers(both xp pro) thru a wired hub. both can access
the internet but i cant find the computers on the network. I have run the
network wizard on both and enabled sharing on both. i would appricate any
help. thanks

Scott,

Please start by providing ipconfig information for each computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is
NOT checked!, copy and paste entire contents into your next post.

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

Make sure the browser service is running on at least one computer. Control
Panel - Administrative Tools - Services. Verify that the Computer Browser, and
the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper, services both show with Status = Started.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing. Firewall configurations are a
very common cause of (network) browser, and file sharing, problems.

 

[Carey Holzman]

Consider everyone Carey has helped (Lou has never asked for Carey's help)

 

[Guest]

I checked all 3 suggestion you gave me and still nothing. Should i just get
a dsl router? i thought it would be simple to just use a hub, guess not.

 

[Bob Willard]

i have connected 2 computers(both xp pro) thru a wired hub. both can access
the internet but i cant find the computers on the network. I have run the
network wizard on both and enabled sharing on both. i would appricate any
help. thanks

If both PCs get to the 'net via a hub connected to a cable or DSL modem, then
your ISP is likely to be supplying IPAs to both; in that case, ISPs do not
always assign IPAs that are in the same IP subnet. One of the advantages
of a router over a hub is that the router assigns compatible IPAs via DHCP.

 

[Chuck]

I checked all 3 suggestion you gave me and still nothing. Should i just get
a dsl router? i thought it would be simple to just use a hub, guess not.

Scott,

A broadband (NAT) router would be the better choice for many reasons.
- Easier to setup
- Better security
- Requires less computer resources

 

[Guest]

thanks for all the help.

If both PCs get to the 'net via a hub connected to a cable or DSL modem, then
your ISP is likely to be supplying IPAs to both; in that case, ISPs do not
always assign IPAs that are in the same IP subnet. One of the advantages
of a router over a hub is that the router assigns compatible IPAs via DHCP.