Simple network, doesn't work after Service Pack 2

[Guest]

I have 2 computers, both XP Home, which I had networked (ethernet thru a hub)
for file and printer sharing.

Since installing XP service pack 2 on both, they won't talk to each other
any more.
I've run the wizard on both, several times, and all I get is 'limited or no
connectivity'
The link lights are lit, the machines both work, what happened?

 

[Chuck]

I have 2 computers, both XP Home, which I had networked (ethernet thru a hub)
for file and printer sharing.

Since installing XP service pack 2 on both, they won't talk to each other
any more.
I've run the wizard on both, several times, and all I get is 'limited or no
connectivity'
The link lights are lit, the machines both work, what happened?

The error "limited or no connectivity" is not serious. It only tells you that
there was no DHCP server available to assign a DHCP address, so the computer got
an APIPA address.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=220874

From each computer, test connectivity and name resolution:
1) Ping itself by name.
2) Ping itself by ip address.
3) Ping the other by name.
4) Ping the other by ip address.
Report success / exact error displayed in each test (8 tests total).

If you have SP2, check the Firewall configuration, and make sure that the File
and Printer Sharing exception is enabled on both computers. Set the scope to
your subnet.

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

 

[Guest]

This is quite a common problem after installing Windows XP Service Pack 2 on
a networked computer.

The problem is a result of the default settings for the new Windows Firewall
(which replaces the Internet Connection Firewall found in Windows XP SP1 and
earlier). By default Windows Firewall will block traffic used for File and
Printer Sharing - Windows XP SP1 and earlier do not do this.

To enable traffic for File and Printer Sharing you need to create an
'exception'. An exception tells the firewall to allow some traffic to pass
through the firewall to the operating system or relevant application.

To modify Windows Firewall exceptions, go to Control Panel, click on
Security Center then click on Manage security settings for Windows Firewall.
Once you have done this you will see the Windows Firewall dialog box. Click
on the Exceptions tab, and click the check box next to File and Printer
Sharing. Click on Ok. You have now enabled traffic for File and Printer
Sharing in the Windows Firewall.

Pinging computers is a common network troubleshooting technique. It
involves sending a message from one computer to another and waiting for a
response. If you receive a response you know that their is TCP/IP
connectivity between the computers. However, Windows Firewall blocks pings
by default, so it would not have helped you resolve this problem. By
enabling the File and Printer Sharing exception, you have also unblocked
pings on the local computer.

NB. You will need to carry this procedure out on all computers on the
network that have Windows XP SP2 installed.