Novice Networker Needs Guidance

[Guest]

I just purchased a router (NETGEAR WGR614v6) in hope of creating a home
network that would allow me to share/transfer files between my old desktop
computer (Dell running Windows ME) and my new desktop computer (HP Pavilion
running Windows XP Media Center). I had already created a functioning
network on my new HP computer to access my DSL service. By following the
instructions that came with the Netgear router, I created another network on
my new HP computer allowing me to access my DSL service through the router.
[Though I did not really care about sharing internet access between my
computers, I thought this was the first step in creating a network that would
allow me to share files between my computers.]

The remainder of the Netgear manual/instructions dealt with establishing a
wireless connection with another computer (I do not have any wireless
computers), so I called Netgear tech support for instructions on how to add
my old Dell to the network. Their tech guy thought all I would have to do
was hook my Dell into the router via an ethernet cable. When I tried this, I
discovered my computers were now sharing my DSL connection, but could not
share files. This is when the Netgear guy said he was only trained to
establish internet access sharing and did not know how to get my computers to
share drives/files. Your assistance would be appreciated!

 

[Robert L [MVP - Networking]]

Assuming both computer in the same subnet, you may need to enable windows file and printer. This how to may help,

How to enable windows file sharingHow to enable the Windows the File Sharing On Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar ... How to enable the Windows File Sharing on Mac OS X 10.3 Panther ...
http://www.howtonetworking.com/mac/filesharing2.htm


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
I just purchased a router (NETGEAR WGR614v6) in hope of creating a home
network that would allow me to share/transfer files between my old desktop
computer (Dell running Windows ME) and my new desktop computer (HP Pavilion
running Windows XP Media Center). I had already created a functioning
network on my new HP computer to access my DSL service. By following the
instructions that came with the Netgear router, I created another network on
my new HP computer allowing me to access my DSL service through the router.
[Though I did not really care about sharing internet access between my
computers, I thought this was the first step in creating a network that would
allow me to share files between my computers.]

The remainder of the Netgear manual/instructions dealt with establishing a
wireless connection with another computer (I do not have any wireless
computers), so I called Netgear tech support for instructions on how to add
my old Dell to the network. Their tech guy thought all I would have to do
was hook my Dell into the router via an ethernet cable. When I tried this, I
discovered my computers were now sharing my DSL connection, but could not
share files. This is when the Netgear guy said he was only trained to
establish internet access sharing and did not know how to get my computers to
share drives/files. Your assistance would be appreciated!

 

[Robert L [MVP - Networking]]

Sorry, it should be this one,

How to enable windows sharingHow to enable Windows sharing. One of the reasons to create a workgroup or domain network is for all ... Domain network sharing - Macintosh file sharing ...
http://www.howtonetworking.com/Networking/enablesharing0.htm


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
I just purchased a router (NETGEAR WGR614v6) in hope of creating a home
network that would allow me to share/transfer files between my old desktop
computer (Dell running Windows ME) and my new desktop computer (HP Pavilion
running Windows XP Media Center). I had already created a functioning
network on my new HP computer to access my DSL service. By following the
instructions that came with the Netgear router, I created another network on
my new HP computer allowing me to access my DSL service through the router.
[Though I did not really care about sharing internet access between my
computers, I thought this was the first step in creating a network that would
allow me to share files between my computers.]

The remainder of the Netgear manual/instructions dealt with establishing a
wireless connection with another computer (I do not have any wireless
computers), so I called Netgear tech support for instructions on how to add
my old Dell to the network. Their tech guy thought all I would have to do
was hook my Dell into the router via an ethernet cable. When I tried this, I
discovered my computers were now sharing my DSL connection, but could not
share files. This is when the Netgear guy said he was only trained to
establish internet access sharing and did not know how to get my computers to
share drives/files. Your assistance would be appreciated!

 

[Jim]

I just purchased a router (NETGEAR WGR614v6) in hope of creating a home
network that would allow me to share/transfer files between my old desktop
computer (Dell running Windows ME) and my new desktop computer (HP
Pavilion
running Windows XP Media Center). I had already created a functioning
network on my new HP computer to access my DSL service. By following the
instructions that came with the Netgear router, I created another network
on
my new HP computer allowing me to access my DSL service through the
router.
[Though I did not really care about sharing internet access between my
computers, I thought this was the first step in creating a network that
would
allow me to share files between my computers.]

The remainder of the Netgear manual/instructions dealt with establishing a
wireless connection with another computer (I do not have any wireless
computers), so I called Netgear tech support for instructions on how to
add
my old Dell to the network. Their tech guy thought all I would have to do
was hook my Dell into the router via an ethernet cable. When I tried
this, I
discovered my computers were now sharing my DSL connection, but could not
share files. This is when the Netgear guy said he was only trained to
establish internet access sharing and did not know how to get my computers
to
share drives/files. Your assistance would be appreciated!

Sharing files and printers does not happen by magic. You must enable
sharing of folders (of your choice) on both machines. Then you must connect
these shared items from the other computer. You should consult Help &
Support for detailed instructions.

Jim

 

[Guest]

Thank you for responding. I've been preoccupied with some other issues
lately but have now tried again to establish some file sharing by following
the directions on your linked website for setting up a "Peer to Peer
Workgroup Setup." I was able to follow the instructions for Win9x setup with
no apparent problems. When I clicked on the "Identification tab", I was only
able to type a name for my Dell (Windows ME) computer because my other
connected computer (HP running Windows XP media center) did not appear.

When I tried to follow your "Win 2k/XP Setup" directions on my HP Pavilion
computer and I went to "My Network Places", nothing appeared in the window.
When I clicked "View workgroup computers", I got the message "Home is not
accessible. You might no have permission to use this network resource.
Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access
permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently
available". I then tried clicking on "Set up a home or small office
network" and following the directions in the Network Setup Wizard. I used a
different computer name for my HP and the same workgroup name (HOME). When I
got to the part asking if I wanted to create a Network Setup Disk to use on
my other computer or use my Windows XP CD, I chose "Just finish the wizard:I
don't need to run the wizard on other computers." [My new HP computer did
not come with a Windows XP CD and when I previously tried to create a Network
Setup Disk, the computer would not allow me to burn it to a CD and I do not
have any floppy or removable drives which I could use to create the disk.]

My two computers are currently sharing my DSL internet connection. I'd
welcome more advice on how I might share files/drives and printers.

--
Regards,

MJS

Sorry, it should be this one,

How to enable windows sharingHow to enable Windows sharing. One of the reasons to create a workgroup or domain network is for all ... Domain network sharing - Macintosh file sharing ...
http://www.howtonetworking.com/Networking/enablesharing0.htm


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
I just purchased a router (NETGEAR WGR614v6) in hope of creating a home
network that would allow me to share/transfer files between my old desktop
computer (Dell running Windows ME) and my new desktop computer (HP Pavilion
running Windows XP Media Center). I had already created a functioning
network on my new HP computer to access my DSL service. By following the
instructions that came with the Netgear router, I created another network on
my new HP computer allowing me to access my DSL service through the router.
[Though I did not really care about sharing internet access between my
computers, I thought this was the first step in creating a network that would
allow me to share files between my computers.]

The remainder of the Netgear manual/instructions dealt with establishing a
wireless connection with another computer (I do not have any wireless
computers), so I called Netgear tech support for instructions on how to add
my old Dell to the network. Their tech guy thought all I would have to do
was hook my Dell into the router via an ethernet cable. When I tried this, I
discovered my computers were now sharing my DSL connection, but could not
share files. This is when the Netgear guy said he was only trained to
establish internet access sharing and did not know how to get my computers to
share drives/files. Your assistance would be appreciated!

 

[Chuck]

When I tried to follow your "Win 2k/XP Setup" directions on my HP Pavilion
computer and I went to "My Network Places", nothing appeared in the window.
When I clicked "View workgroup computers", I got the message "Home is not
accessible. You might no have permission to use this network resource.
Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access
permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently
available".

My two computers are currently sharing my DSL internet connection. I'd
welcome more advice on how I might share files/drives and printers.

The error "The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available" is
generally caused by a misconfigured or overlooked personal firewall, or other
security component. There are several other possibilities too, and any might be
the cause of your problem. Read this article with an open mind.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html

Make sure that NetBT is consistently Enabled.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html

And make sure that all network services are present and started.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#Components>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#Components

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the help. I got the network working after I closed my firewall
program (Zone Alarm) on my Dell (Windows ME) computer. I tried playing with
the Zone Alarm settings first without success.

Is it possible to set the free version of Zone Alarm to allow communication
between my two workgroup computers while still providing some protection
against internet intruders?

--
Regards,

MJS

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for the help. I got the network working after I closed my firewall
program (Zone Alarm) on my Dell (Windows ME) computer. I tried playing with
the Zone Alarm settings first without success.

Is it possible to set the free version of Zone Alarm to allow communication
between my two workgroup computers while still providing some protection
against internet intruders?

What you need to do is enable File Sharing, or ports 137 - 139 TCP/UDP, for the
other computers. Those settings should be available for any software firewall.

You are behind a NAT router, I hope? If so, then simply make sure that you have
decent application layer protection too.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html#Layer3>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html#Layer3

 

[Guest]

What is a "NAT" router?

My Zone Alarm firewall program does not appear to have any options
pertaining to File Sharing or "ports 137-139 TCP/UDP." Under the advanced
options of my firewall, I have checked "allow outging DNS/DHCP" in the
Trusted Zone and the Internet Zone on High setting.

When I close the Zone Alarm program, will my computer be protected by the
windows XP firewall that is still operating on the other computer in my
network? If not, would my Windows ME computer be at much risk if I do not
have any internet browsers open?

--
Regards,

MJS

 

[Guest]

Regarding Zone Alarm, I figured out how to put my network connection ("3Com
EtherLink PCI") into the "Trusted Zone" where I could allow file sharing.
Although I have set a higher security setting for the "Internet Zone," I'm
not sure whether Zone Alarm is able to distinguish between information
requests from my other home network workgroup computer and intrustions from
the internet (since both are coming through the same Ethernet cable). Do you
know?

--
Regards,

MJS

 

[Chuck]

What is a "NAT" router?

My Zone Alarm firewall program does not appear to have any options
pertaining to File Sharing or "ports 137-139 TCP/UDP." Under the advanced
options of my firewall, I have checked "allow outging DNS/DHCP" in the
Trusted Zone and the Internet Zone on High setting.

When I close the Zone Alarm program, will my computer be protected by the
windows XP firewall that is still operating on the other computer in my
network? If not, would my Windows ME computer be at much risk if I do not
have any internet browsers open?

A NAT router is any typical home router, that's used for connecting multiple
computers to your Internet service.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/what-is-nat-router.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/what-is-nat-router.html

A NAT router protects at the perimeter. Windows Firewall, and Zone Alarm,
protect at the individual computer. Both perimeter and individual protection
are part of a layered security strategy.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html

Windows Firewall provides the same protection as Zone Alarm. WF replaces
Internet Connection Firewall (XP pre SP2), which provided incoming protection
only. ICF replaced "no protection" (pre XP). Pre XP, and then XP pre-SP2,
motivated the development of Zone Alarm and similar "personal firewalls". Zone
Alarm is shiny, and has some good control features that WF doesn't. But WF is
as good as ZA in many ways, is more stable in general, and is more controllable.

Any computer, connected to the Internet, with browser open or not, is at risk.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/security-by-obscurity.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/security-by-obscurity.html

But every firewall has to have the ability to open specific ports, like 137 -
139, for specific purposes, for designated subnets or individual computers.
That's called granularity. If it doesn't, you end up disabling / un installing
the firewall in question, which is called "no protection".

 

[Chuck]

Regarding Zone Alarm, I figured out how to put my network connection ("3Com
EtherLink PCI") into the "Trusted Zone" where I could allow file sharing.
Although I have set a higher security setting for the "Internet Zone," I'm
not sure whether Zone Alarm is able to distinguish between information
requests from my other home network workgroup computer and intrustions from
the internet (since both are coming through the same Ethernet cable). Do you
know?

ZA distinguishes between information requests from your other home network
workgroup computer and intrusions from the internet, by knowing what computers
are in the "Trusted Zone", vs what aren't ("Internet Zone").

That's the meaning of the name of ZONE Alarm.

As I said in my previous reply, this is "granularity". You need to specify that
"these specific computers" (on your LAN) are allowed to pass ports 137 - 139.
No other computers, and no other ports. So you open 137 - 139 (maybe "Windows
File Sharing") to the "Trusted Zone".

File sharing is a known and trusted application on every computer. File sharing
by Windows Networking (not something geeky like FTP) is a feature built in to
Windows computers, and to other OSs as well. Zone Alarm, even ZAF, has to have
controls to allow safe file sharing. The controls are there, though they aren't
always easy to find.

 

[Guest]

My router does appear to be of the "NAT" type, since the box says it has an
"NAT Firewall" and an "SPI Firewall."

My free version of Zone Alarm (which is not the latest version since they
stopped revising their Windows ME compatible program) does not appear to
offer the option of opening specific ports. It does allow users to specify
"computers and networks" to add to the "Trusted Zone" where you may allow
resource sharing. When I added "3Com EtherLink PCI" to the Trusted Zone, my
network began to function. A network or computer labeled "Loopback adapter"
was already in the Trusted Zone. I have "PPP Adapter" and "NTS PPPoE
Adapter" in the high security Internet Zone. Does that seem correct?

I will eventually try to upgrade my OS from ME to XP with SP2 (I don't think
my old Dell is up to handling Vista!), at which time I guess I will no longer
need Zone Alarm.

--
Regards,

MJS

 

[Chuck]

My router does appear to be of the "NAT" type, since the box says it has an
"NAT Firewall" and an "SPI Firewall."

My free version of Zone Alarm (which is not the latest version since they
stopped revising their Windows ME compatible program) does not appear to
offer the option of opening specific ports. It does allow users to specify
"computers and networks" to add to the "Trusted Zone" where you may allow
resource sharing. When I added "3Com EtherLink PCI" to the Trusted Zone, my
network began to function. A network or computer labeled "Loopback adapter"
was already in the Trusted Zone. I have "PPP Adapter" and "NTS PPPoE
Adapter" in the high security Internet Zone. Does that seem correct?

I will eventually try to upgrade my OS from ME to XP with SP2 (I don't think
my old Dell is up to handling Vista!), at which time I guess I will no longer
need Zone Alarm.

That makes sense. As I said, file sharing is the most trusted network
application, so allowing file sharing between trusted computers would be
expected, and for ZAF normal. If you're running PPPoE for Internet service,
then the PPPoE components should indeed be in the Internet zone, where file
sharing is not allowed.

I think you have a handle on it. Congrats.