Wireless networking problem

[Mark]

We have 2 computers, both on XP pro. One is wired to a D-
Link wireless router, which is connected to the DSL
modem. The other computer is connected via a wireless d-
link pci network card.

Both grab IP addresses fine, and both connect to the
internet fine. The wired computer sees all shared files
on the wireless, however the wireless connected computer
cannot see the shared folders on the wired computer.
Well, actually, they both saw each other fine when I
first set up the network. But after rebooting, the
problem started.

I went through the "creat network connection" wizard and
created a workgroup named OFFICE. And still the wireless
computer could not see the wired. I went to Network ID
under My Computer properties and created the OFFICE
workgroup again. This time, when I opened the workgroup
on the wireless computer it showed the wired computer,
however when I tried to access it, it would bring up an
error saying "could not find network path".

Both computers have TCP/IP enabled, both are running the
Computer Browser service.

The wired computer does take a password to log on, but I
removed it and it changed nothing.

Any ideas?

 

[Chuck]

We have 2 computers, both on XP pro. One is wired to a D-
Link wireless router, which is connected to the DSL
modem. The other computer is connected via a wireless d-
link pci network card.

Both grab IP addresses fine, and both connect to the
internet fine. The wired computer sees all shared files
on the wireless, however the wireless connected computer
cannot see the shared folders on the wired computer.
Well, actually, they both saw each other fine when I
first set up the network. But after rebooting, the
problem started.

I went through the "creat network connection" wizard and
created a workgroup named OFFICE. And still the wireless
computer could not see the wired. I went to Network ID
under My Computer properties and created the OFFICE
workgroup again. This time, when I opened the workgroup
on the wireless computer it showed the wired computer,
however when I tried to access it, it would bring up an
error saying "could not find network path".

Both computers have TCP/IP enabled, both are running the
Computer Browser service.

The wired computer does take a password to log on, but I
removed it and it changed nothing.

Any ideas?

Mark,

Are you running NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (Local Area Connection - Properties - TCP/IP
- Properties - Advanced - WINS) on both computers?

Check both computers, 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.

Do either 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.

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