Unable to ping computer

[J Boehm]

When I try to ping my computer, it fails. I am able to
successfully ping my cable modem router (SMC), and the
other computer on the network - though I can not see
either computer in my network places. I've reinstalled
the network adapter, checked to make sure all required
protocols, services, etc. are correct. I can see my
computer on the other computer's network places, though I
can't access anything. Any ideas?

Thanks, J Boehm

 

[Chuck]

When I try to ping my computer, it fails. I am able to
successfully ping my cable modem router (SMC), and the
other computer on the network - though I can not see
either computer in my network places. I've reinstalled
the network adapter, checked to make sure all required
protocols, services, etc. are correct. I can see my
computer on the other computer's network places, though I
can't access anything. Any ideas?

Thanks, J Boehm

Make sure the browser service is running on each computer. Control Panel -
Administrative Tools - Services. Verify that the Computer Browser service is
started.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF or third party)? If so,
you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445 and
UDP 137, 138, 445, and / or by identifying the other computers as present in the
Local (Trusted) zone. Firewall configurations are a very common cause of
(network) browser, and file sharing, problems.

When you ping, do you ping by name, or by ip address?

From each computer, test connectivity:
1) Ping the other by name.
2) Ping the other by ip address.
3) Ping itself by name.
4) Ping itself by ip address.
5) Ping 127.0.0.1.
6) Ping the router.
Report success / failure of each test (12 tests total).

And please don't contribute to the spread and success of email address mining
viruses. Learn to munge your email address properly, to keep yourself a bit
safer when posting to open forums. Protect yourself and the rest of the
internet - read this article.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm

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

 

[Guest]

Hi Chuck, thanks for responding.

Regarding the connectivity test below:
From the problem computer - 1, 3 & 4 failed, others worked.
From other computer - 1&2 failed, others worked.

Does the computer browser service have a particular name? I can't find anything in the list that looks browser-related.

Regarding the software firewall, I have Norton Antivirus software. I don't see any firewall on/off option or that there is one. Otherwise, no other software firewalls that I am aware of.

Thanks,
John

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck, thanks for responding.

Regarding the ping test:
From the problem computer - 1, 3 & 4 failed and the others were a success
From the other computer - 1 & 2 failed and the others were a success

Is there a particular computer browser service name? I was unable to find anything browser-related in the list.

I have Norton anti-virus, but nothing about a firewall.

Any other input would be helpful.

Thanks, JBoehm

From the wizard Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services, it's called
Computer Browser.

But, if the computer can't ping itself by ip address, you either have a network
software problem, or a firewall blocking the pings.

How about test #2 from the problem computer? Was it successful?

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

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck,

I rechecked my Norton Anti-virus software after reading your latest response and realized that I was looking in the Anti-virus setup area and not the Internet security area. Once there I disabled the firewall and the ping command worked immediately. I don't understand how the firewall went up since I did not tell it to, but Norton software tends to have a mind of its own. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!!

That's excellent news. Thanks for updating us.

Yeah not too many folks accuse Symantec of being needlessly predictable. ;-)

Please don't leave NIS disabled though - you need protection. Configure it for
file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445 and UDP 137, 138, 445, and / or by
identifying the other computers as present in the Local (Trusted) zone.

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

 

[Guest]

Hi Chuck,

I'll configure NIS for the ports mentioned. Thanks again for the help.

JBoehm

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck,

I'll configure NIS for the ports mentioned. Thanks again for the help.

JBoehm

My pleasure. Stay paranoid - and safe.

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