Workgroup displays nothing on laptop with XP Pro

[Guest]

I just added a new Dell desktop (running XP Pro) on my home network, and am unable to see it on any of the other machines when looking under 'Entire Network' / Workgroup (ie, my laptop (XP PRO) and my other desktop (2000)). However, I can ping the new machine and access it from the Run command on either machine by simply typing in the new desktops IP address from either the laptop or the desktop, but for some reason it will NOT show up on my laptop or on my desktop machines under the Workgroup. In addition, my laptop now fails to show ANY of the other machines on my network too. I have double checked the Workgroup names (ie, all are set at WORKGROUP) , can ping each machine, etc

Any and all help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks much

 

[Chuck]

I just added a new Dell desktop (running XP Pro) on my home network, and am unable to see it on any of the other machines when looking under 'Entire Network' / Workgroup (ie, my laptop (XP PRO) and my other desktop (2000)). However, I can ping the new machine and access it from the Run command on either machine by simply typing in the new desktops IP address from either the laptop or the desktop, but for some reason it will NOT show up on my laptop or on my desktop machines under the Workgroup. In addition, my laptop now fails to show ANY of the other machines on my network too. I have double checked the Workgroup names (ie, all are set at WORKGROUP) , can ping each machine, etc.

Any and all help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks much.

Randy,

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.

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

 

[Guest]

Hi Chuck

Thanks for responding. No, not as far as I know they don't. It seems stange because I can indeed connect to each of the the other computers via the ip address through the run option - from there I can get to (and use) the printers etc., but under my workgroup on my laptop I know see nothing - yet the laptop, etc can be seen from the other machines. I have tried various options listed by others to no avail.

Thanks again - any other ideas appreciated

Rand

----- Chuck wrote: ----

On Sat, 22 May 2004 00:31:02 -0700, "Randy

I just added a new Dell desktop (running XP Pro) on my home network, and am unable to see it on any of the other machines when looking under 'Entire Network' / Workgroup (ie, my laptop (XP PRO) and my other desktop (2000)). However, I can ping the new machine and access it from the Run command on either machine by simply typing in the new desktops IP address from either the laptop or the desktop, but for some reason it will NOT show up on my laptop or on my desktop machines under the Workgroup. In addition, my laptop now fails to show ANY of the other machines on my network too. I have double checked the Workgroup names (ie, all are set at WORKGROUP) , can ping each machine, etc

Randy

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 an
UDP 137, 138, 445, and / or by identifying the other computers as present in th
Local (Trusted) zone. Firewall configurations are a very common cause o
(network) browser, and file sharing, problems

Cheers
Chuc
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck -

Thanks for responding. No, not as far as I know they don't. It seems stange because I can indeed connect to each of the the other computers via the ip address through the run option - from there I can get to (and use) the printers etc., but under my workgroup on my laptop I know see nothing - yet the laptop, etc can be seen from the other machines. I have tried various options listed by others to no avail.

Thanks again - any other ideas appreciated.

Randy

Randy,

You've got a problem with the browser service on your LAN. Nine times out of
ten, a firewall blocking file sharing services turns out to be the culprit.
You're the tenth.

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

Please provide ipconfig information for each computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, copy and paste into your next post.
Identify operating system with each ipconfig listing.

Read this article, which may help.
<http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=188305>.

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

 

[Guest]

Hi again Chuck and thanks for helping me ou

Here is some additional info per your request

My Laptop - running XP Pro - has both a wireless card and plug-i
My New Dell Computer - running XP Pro - uses a network car
My Old Desktop - running Windows 2K - network car

On my OLD (2K) desktop - I can ping both of the other machines - and access shared folders (and printer on the new Dell) via run but can NOT see the Dell in my Network Place

On my Laptop - I can ping both of the other machines, see shared resources, etc - but can NOT see EITHER of the other two computers in My Network Places

On my new Dell Desktop (XP Pro) - i can see and access both of the other computers in My Network Places

Here are the settings/info you asked for

MYLAPTOP (XP PRO): (noticed that my Available Networks shows up as Home - not WORKGROUP - but not sure if that matters either - nothing shows up in Myh Network Places - but can indeed connect via run to the shared items

Windows IP Configuratio

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTO
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : mdfrd.or.charter.co
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknow
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Ye
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : Ye
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : mdfrd.or.charter.co
or.charter.co
charter.co

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : mdfrd.or.charter.co
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Dell TrueMobile 1150 Series Mini PCI Car
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-02-2D-6E-03-4
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Ye
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Ye
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, May 22, 2004 7:20:26 P
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, May 25, 2004 7:20:26 P

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnecte
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com 3C920 Integrated Fast Ethernet Controller (3C905C-TX Compatible
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-74-39-C8-21

-------------
Here is the info for my Desktop (running 2K) - can see the laptop (and itself in My Network Neighborhood) but not the del

Windows 2000 IP Configuratio
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : randy-2nzomrh9
Primary DNS Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybri
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : N
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : N
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : mdfrd.or.charter.co
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : mdfrd.or.charter.co
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys LNE100TX Fast Ethernet Adapter(LNE100TX v4
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-5A-4E-81-B
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Ye
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Ye
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, May 21, 2004 10:22:30 P
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, May 24, 2004 10:22:30 P
--------------
Here is my new Dell Desktop (XP Pro) - this shows both of the other computers in Network Neighborhoo
Windows IP Configuratio
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : RAsDellCompute
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybri
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : N
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : N

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : mdfrd.or.charter.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0C-F1-E7-CC-57
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.5
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, May 22, 2004 7:53:19 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, May 25, 2004 7:53:19 AM

I have double checked the browser settings to make sure it is on, made sure the firewall is off, etc - and have also tried reading various threads here, but so far no luck.

I sure do appreciate the help! Thanks again.

Randy

 

[Chuck]

Hi again Chuck and thanks for helping me out

Here is some additional info per your request:

My Laptop - running XP Pro - has both a wireless card and plug-in
My New Dell Computer - running XP Pro - uses a network card
My Old Desktop - running Windows 2K - network card

On my OLD (2K) desktop - I can ping both of the other machines - and access shared folders (and printer on the new Dell) via run but can NOT see the Dell in my Network Places

On my Laptop - I can ping both of the other machines, see shared resources, etc - but can NOT see EITHER of the other two computers in My Network Places.

On my new Dell Desktop (XP Pro) - i can see and access both of the other computers in My Network Places.

<SNIP Diagnostics>

Randy,

What antivirus protection to you have on each computer?

You say "I can ping" do you mean that ping by both name and by ip address is
successful? IOW, do all 3 computers resolve name to address of both other
computers successfully? Name resolution is as important here as connectivity.

Let's try something new. The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what
browsers you have in your workgroup.
<http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=188305>

You can download Browstat from:
<http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip>

Browstat needs no install, and it's very small (40K) - just copy it to a folder
on your system that's in the Path. Then type "browstat status", just as you
would "ping laptop".

Once you are used to browstat, copy it onto each computer, then:
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "browstat status >c:\browstat.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\browstat.txt in Notepad, copy and paste into your next post. I
want to compare exactly what each computer sees as browsers on the LAN.

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

 

[Guest]

HI again Chuck and THANKS MUCH for all the help

OK, I am using Symantic Corporate Edition for my email, etc, but have not installed the firewall - this is used on all machines. My routher is a netgear MR 314 Wireless Router- the wireless is used for my laptop, the other machines are connected via cable. I have a cable modem

I can ping all of the machines from each other by the IP address on my LAPTOP. In addition, I WAS able to map drives (on LAPTOP), but had to use the IP address - as anytime I tried to use the name (including trying to ping computers from my laptop via the name) it would not work. Interestingly enough, I could ping the other machines from my new Dell Desktop by simply typing in either the name of the other computers OR the IP address..... (both worked on the DESKTOP - not the laptop though

OK, here is the result from my NEW DELL/Desktop running (XP Pro - Name: RAsDellComputer- guess I was a bit surprised to see that this machine wasn't the master browser, even though I am really not sure what that means - but that is my main computer (and the one that nobody seems to be able to see :-


C:\temp>browstat statu

Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{F10EBFC2-1CCC-469
-AB67-B39AE7803279
Browsing is active on domain
Master browser name is: RANDY-2NZOMRH9
Master browser is running build 219
1 backup servers retrieved from master RANDY-2NZOMRH9
\\RANDY-2NZOMRH9
There are 2 servers in domain WORKGROUP on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{F
0EBFC2-1CCC-469C-AB67-B39AE7803279
There are 1 domains in domain WORKGROUP on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{F
0EBFC2-1CCC-469C-AB67-B39AE7803279

C:\temp

------------------

OK - here is the info from the laptop (running XP Pro)- this is the one that can see nobody else (BTW, NOBODY can see the new Dell Desktop Computer (XP PRO
C:\Temp\browstat>browstat statu


Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport \Device\NwlnkN
Browsing is NOT active on domain
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus


Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport \Device\NwlnkIp
Browsing is NOT active on domain
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus


Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{7CB70405-0D62-44F
-A10C-33008D4FE565
Browsing is active on domain
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus. Using \\RANDY-2NZO
RH9
Could not connect to registry, error = 53 Unable to determine build of b
owser master: 5
Unable to determine server information for browser master: 5
1 backup servers retrieved from master RANDY-2NZOMRH9
\\RANDY-2NZOMRH9
Unable to retrieve server list from RANDY-2NZOMRH95: 5

C:\Temp\browstat

The above looks like maybe YOU have indeed isolated the potential problem - afraid I am not sure what exactly it means though Sorry
--------------------------------------------------

OK - and here is from my machine downstairs - running Windows 2000 (had this upstairs and used as my main computer until i got the news desktop/del
(NO idea what it meas that there are 2 servers afaid

Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{26EA32E1-98F7-4284-858A-00903EBF0B66
Browsing is active on domain
Master browser name is: RANDY-2NZOMRH9
Master browser is running build 219
1 backup servers retrieved from master RANDY-2NZOMRH9
\\RANDY-2NZOMRH9
There are 2 servers in domain WORKGROUP on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{26EA32E1-98F7-4284-858A-00903EBF0B66
There are 1 domains in domain WORKGROUP on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{26EA32E1-98F7-4284-858A-00903EBF0B66

-
NOT EXACTLY SURE HOW TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR TIME AND EFFORT, BUT I SURE DO APPREICATE IT A LOT!!!!! THANKS!!

Rand

 

[Chuck]

HI again Chuck and THANKS MUCH for all the help!

OK, I am using Symantic Corporate Edition for my email, etc, but have not installed the firewall - this is used on all machines. My routher is a netgear MR 314 Wireless Router- the wireless is used for my laptop, the other machines are connected via cable. I have a cable modem.

I can ping all of the machines from each other by the IP address on my LAPTOP. In addition, I WAS able to map drives (on LAPTOP), but had to use the IP address - as anytime I tried to use the name (including trying to ping computers from my laptop via the name) it would not work. Interestingly enough, I could ping the other machines from my new Dell Desktop by simply typing in either the name of the other computers OR the IP address..... (both worked on the DESKTOP - not the laptop though)

Randy,

Well, as you noted, the 3 browstat listings gave us something to think about.
And some disturbing and unexpected results.

I'll explain briefly what we're looking at. I apologise if I'm stating obvious
stuff.

A browser (not to be confused with Internet Explorer) is a computer that keeps
an inventory of what services (servers, shares, domains, and workgroups) can be
seen from any domain or workgroup, and provides that information to any computer
asking (ie you, when you look in Network Neighborhood). A master browser
gathers that information, and passes it to the backup browsers. The master
browser is elected from all the browsers in the domain / workgroup, primarily
based upon operating system (WinNT/2K/XP have equal status, over Win9x/ME), and
secondarily based upon how long the computer has been online.

There can be only one master browser (duh) in a domain or workgroup. Any
browser that is not elected the master browser becomes a backup browser, and is
fed the network inventory by the master browser. Basically, in a domain /
workgroup that contains only Win2K/XP computers, the master browser becomes the
one computer that's been up the longest.

If the master browser was to go offline, it could take as long as 51 minutes
before its absence would be discovered, and a new master browser elected.
Meaning that, if you restart randy-2nzomrh95, it will continue as the master
browser forever. As long as the other two computers stay up while its being
restarted.

Read this article, as long as you have lots of time to spare - and a big pot of
coffee. I've only read 1/3 of it - and understand maybe 1/2 of what I've read.
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx>

Your browstat results are disturbing because they're not consistent. You and I,
coincidentally, have very similar workgroup inventories - one Win2K, and 2
WinXPPro, systems. This is my browstat results from my 3 computers:

[CPQ450]
Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{7C4EDF90-1A63-4688-AF16-D538567EF58D}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: DELL1600
Master browser is running build 2600
2 backup servers retrieved from master DELL1600
\\DELL1600
\\DELL700
There are 3 servers in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{7C4EDF90-1A63-4688-AF16-D538567EF58D}
There are 1 domains in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{7C4EDF90-1A63-4688-AF16-D538567EF58D}

[DELL1600]
Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{9533CE32-D69F-4E8E-A07B-7760E2099572}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: DELL1600
Master browser is running build 2600
2 backup servers retrieved from master DELL1600
\\DELL700
\\DELL1600
There are 3 servers in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{9533CE32-D69F-4E8E-A07B-7760E2099572}
There are 1 domains in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{9533CE32-D69F-4E8E-A07B-7760E2099572}

[DELL700]
Status for domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{C5FD0508-3174-4ACE-870A-01D6BB5CED00}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: DELL1600
Master browser is running build 2600
2 backup servers retrieved from master DELL1600
\\DELL700
\\DELL1600
There are 3 servers in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{C5FD0508-3174-4ACE-870A-01D6BB5CED00}
There are 1 domains in domain WORKGROUP on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{C5FD0508-3174-4ACE-870A-01D6BB5CED00}

See how consistent and symmetrical my results are?

Let's force a master browser election on your LAN. Shutdown all of your
computers simultaneously. Decide which computer you want as your master browser,
and bring it up first, after all are shutdown. After all 3 are back online,
rerun browstat on all 3 computers, and post results back here.

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

 

[Guest]

Chuck - I have tried something different based upon some suggestions of a friend at work and some of the reading you have provided and others have noted in their posts - and am now a bit closer. I set up an lmhost file on all the machines and now can see everyone on each machine - EXCEPT, the other two machines still can't see the new dell. However, now all the workgroup computers show from each box - except my laptop and my desktop still can't see the new desktop - BUT they can indeed hit it and connect via the ip address AND now the name of the machines :-

So, continuing to get a bit closer - thanks again much for all your help and should you have any final ideas on the desktop that now one can see (XP Pro) via the network neighborhood sure would appreciate your help. At least now I have all the basic functionality i really need

Thanks again

Rand