One way Networking

[Alan Brown]

I have successfully networked a number of computers together in my house
using MS workgroups. The workgroup is named "MSHOME". The computers are a
combination of both hard wired desktops and wireless portables. Each has
only one OS installed, and represents a mix of XP, XP Media, XP Pro or Vista
Ultimate. Each is fully updated per available MS updates.



Recently, I re-installed the XP-Pro OS (Clean - with full format) to one of
the older computers. Prior to that, it worked just fine on the home
network. The name of this computer is "Breakaway". Re-installing the OS
was done primarily to eliminate a lot of old clutter, remove outdated
programs, and eliminate inconsistent issues and nuances etc. After
re-loading, all available MS updates were added. General local operation is
excellent, but a networking problem surfaced.



"Breakaway" can access the internet, receive E-mail and communicate with all
other computers but none can see nor work with "Breakaway". The other
computers can successfully ping "Breakaway", but the computer does not show
up under "MSHOME". I have removed all AV software and turned off the
Firewall. The computer itself does not show up on any of the other
computers. It's like a one-way only network.



Any hints or suggestions would be much appreciated.



Thanks, Al

 

[Chuck [MVP]]

I have successfully networked a number of computers together in my house
using MS workgroups. The workgroup is named "MSHOME". The computers are a
combination of both hard wired desktops and wireless portables. Each has
only one OS installed, and represents a mix of XP, XP Media, XP Pro or Vista
Ultimate. Each is fully updated per available MS updates.



Recently, I re-installed the XP-Pro OS (Clean - with full format) to one of
the older computers. Prior to that, it worked just fine on the home
network. The name of this computer is "Breakaway". Re-installing the OS
was done primarily to eliminate a lot of old clutter, remove outdated
programs, and eliminate inconsistent issues and nuances etc. After
re-loading, all available MS updates were added. General local operation is
excellent, but a networking problem surfaced.



"Breakaway" can access the internet, receive E-mail and communicate with all
other computers but none can see nor work with "Breakaway". The other
computers can successfully ping "Breakaway", but the computer does not show
up under "MSHOME". I have removed all AV software and turned off the
Firewall. The computer itself does not show up on any of the other
computers. It's like a one-way only network.

Hi Alan,

OK, diagnose the problem using logs from "browstat status", "ipconfig /all",
"net config server", and "net config workstation", from each computer. Read
this article, and linked articles, and follow instructions precisely (download
browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[Bob Willard]

I have successfully networked a number of computers together in my house
using MS workgroups. The workgroup is named "MSHOME". The computers
are a combination of both hard wired desktops and wireless portables.
Each has only one OS installed, and represents a mix of XP, XP Media, XP
Pro or Vista Ultimate. Each is fully updated per available MS updates.



Recently, I re-installed the XP-Pro OS (Clean - with full format) to one
of the older computers. Prior to that, it worked just fine on the home
network. The name of this computer is "Breakaway". Re-installing the
OS was done primarily to eliminate a lot of old clutter, remove outdated
programs, and eliminate inconsistent issues and nuances etc. After
re-loading, all available MS updates were added. General local
operation is excellent, but a networking problem surfaced.



"Breakaway" can access the internet, receive E-mail and communicate with
all other computers but none can see nor work with "Breakaway". The
other computers can successfully ping "Breakaway", but the computer does
not show up under "MSHOME". I have removed all AV software and turned
off the Firewall. The computer itself does not show up on any of the
other computers. It's like a one-way only network.



Any hints or suggestions would be much appreciated.



Thanks, Al

And, that illustrates the problems that can result from reinstalling the OS.
You could have simply uninstalled (and then cleaned up after) the apps you
no longer wanted, and done other cleanup (purge log files, etc.).