PC's on Wi-FI can't see each other

[Guest]

We have a NetGear 614 roouter with WiFI access point connected to a Cable/DSL model. One desktop (Tiger) and two laptops (Lion and Monkey) are connect to the internet via this router. All machines are running XP Professional and File/Printer sharing is enabled on all of them. They all belong to the same Workgroup (Jungle). One printer is connected to Tiger via USB

Now though file sharing is enables, none of the machines can see any other. NetworkNeighbourhood only shows one machine (itself). None of the laptops can see the printer connected to the desktop

If we connect the desktop to the router via a network cable, then it immediately becomes visible on the laptops. But the laptops still can't see the printer and machines connecting via wireless can't see each other at all

What are we missing here? How can we fix this

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rob Schneider]

First quick question ... have you run the Network Setup Wizard? This
will often set up everything just right. Also check if firewalls getting
in way.

Hope this is useful to you. Let us know.

rms




wrote:

 

[Guest]

Yup, ran the Network Setup Wizard and removed the firewall to test it out. Still no luck. Something else seems to be lurking!

 

[Chuck]

We have a NetGear 614 roouter with WiFI access point connected to a Cable/DSL model. One desktop (Tiger) and two laptops (Lion and Monkey) are connect to the internet via this router. All machines are running XP Professional and File/Printer sharing is enabled on all of them. They all belong to the same Workgroup (Jungle). One printer is connected to Tiger via USB.

Now though file sharing is enables, none of the machines can see any other. NetworkNeighbourhood only shows one machine (itself). None of the laptops can see the printer connected to the desktop.

If we connect the desktop to the router via a network cable, then it immediately becomes visible on the laptops. But the laptops still can't see the printer and machines connecting via wireless can't see each other at all.

What are we missing here? How can we fix this?

Thanks in advance.

Thommo,

Are you running both Client for Microsoft Networks, and File and Printer Sharing
for Microsoft Networks, on all computers? Do you have shares setup on all?

Make sure the browser service is running on each computer. 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.

Any firewalls (ICF or third party) on any of the computers? You have to
configure them to allow file and printer sharing by opening the following ports:
TCP 139, 445; UDP 137, 138, 445.

Please provide ipconfig information for each computer, when using wired, and
when using wireless, connections.
Start - Run - "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in
Notepad, copy and paste into your next post.

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

 

[Guest]

Sorry for long delay in posting info on the progress..

Well once I removed the IPX protocol and turned only the TCP/IP on things worked out just fine. I did take your advice and turn off encryption and firewalls on the WiFi. Once everything worked, I turned them back on with no further trouble

Thanks for all the help

Thommo