set up home network on Windows XP Home

[Guest]

I'm trying to network desktop & laptop computers to share printers but can't
get them to connect. I've followed all instructions but when I check
connections I get message that the Home workgroup is not accessable. I turned
off Windows XP firewall on both computers, both computers have Norton
Internet Security so I entered IP addresses of each in Firewall as safe to
receive. Both computers are connected to SpeadStream router connected to
cable modem. Could the router have a firewall that's causing the problem? Any
other suggestions? I've spent all day trying to resolve this.

 

[Chuck]

I'm trying to network desktop & laptop computers to share printers but can't
get them to connect. I've followed all instructions but when I check
connections I get message that the Home workgroup is not accessable. I turned
off Windows XP firewall on both computers, both computers have Norton
Internet Security so I entered IP addresses of each in Firewall as safe to
receive. Both computers are connected to SpeadStream router connected to
cable modem. Could the router have a firewall that's causing the problem? Any
other suggestions? I've spent all day trying to resolve this.

Very few NAT routers include a firewall on the LAN side. But you could have a
hidden firewall on the computer, besides the Windows XP firewall.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html

You could look at "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all", from each computer, and
diagnose the problem. 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

 

[Guest]

I read this before posting my question, that's where I learned a firewall
could be the problem. But the instructions are too complicated & techie for
me. I'm not an IT person. I see this question of workgroup not being
accessible in many of the posts so it's a common problem. There must be an
easier way to resolve it.

 

[Chuck]

I read this before posting my question, that's where I learned a firewall
could be the problem. But the instructions are too complicated & techie for
me. I'm not an IT person. I see this question of workgroup not being
accessible in many of the posts so it's a common problem. There must be an
easier way to resolve it.

Chris,

Can you run "ipconfig /all", and post the output? That's a good place to start.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html

Take it one step at a time.

 

[Guest]

I ran the ipconfig on both computers but don't know how to post them. I
printed info for the desktop but couldn't get the laptop to read as txt so I
wrote down info along side the desktop info. Everything looked like your
sample except the desktop node type was Hybrid & laptop was broadcast.
Desktop IP routing enabled said no like your sample but laptop said yes, same
for WIns proxy enable no on desktop & yes on laptop. Desktop Ethernet adapter
LAC Description is Intel (R) Pro/100 VE Network Connection, laptop is
Broadcom 440x 10/100. The IP addresses are slightly different, subnet mask
through to DNS Server info is same address for each & it's same on both
computers. Your sample DNS Servers had two addresses, my desktop & laptop
have one address & they're the same. Does this shed any light on the problem?
What next?

 

[Guest]

When I run the command I get the following message c:'utility' is not
recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch
file. Also the folder I created is utility programs 2 words & I put
browstat.exe in the folder. So is putting the file in the folder installing
it or do I need to try to open & run it?