workgroup networking with home and pro

[zaxxon]

i have 3 computers connected to a belkin adsl modem/router.
computer A laptop - windows Xp home . is connected through a direct LAN
cable.
from the router i have run an additional cable (30 metres) that is
connected to an 8 port switch. from the switch i have run 2 lines to
the following computers:
Computer B Laptop - Windows Xp Pro
Computer C Desktop - Windows Xp Home
on Computers A,B and C Simple file sharing is ticked 'ON' on all 3, all
3 are on the same workgroup, i ran the home network wizard on all
three, enabled file and printer sharing on all 3 and restarted all 3. i
can see all 3 workgroup computers on computer A, but cant see them on
computers B and C (went to my network places, then from the common task
menu chose 'view workgroup computers'). When trying it tells me the
network path is not found and i might not have permission to access it.
on the other hand when i open explorer and type the name directly(
\\computerB\ or \\computerC\) i can access both B and C computers from
B or C but i cant Access Computer A in the same way. i disabled all
firewalls to make sure its not a firewall issue my goal is to have all
3 computers visible on all 3 computers.
what am i doing wrong ? and what can i do to get there ?

 

[Chuck]

i have 3 computers connected to a belkin adsl modem/router.
computer A laptop - windows Xp home . is connected through a direct LAN
cable.
from the router i have run an additional cable (30 metres) that is
connected to an 8 port switch. from the switch i have run 2 lines to
the following computers:
Computer B Laptop - Windows Xp Pro
Computer C Desktop - Windows Xp Home
on Computers A,B and C Simple file sharing is ticked 'ON' on all 3, all
3 are on the same workgroup, i ran the home network wizard on all
three, enabled file and printer sharing on all 3 and restarted all 3. i
can see all 3 workgroup computers on computer A, but cant see them on
computers B and C (went to my network places, then from the common task
menu chose 'view workgroup computers'). When trying it tells me the
network path is not found and i might not have permission to access it.
on the other hand when i open explorer and type the name directly(
\\computerB\ or \\computerC\) i can access both B and C computers from
B or C but i cant Access Computer A in the same way. i disabled all
firewalls to make sure its not a firewall issue my goal is to have all
3 computers visible on all 3 computers.
what am i doing wrong ? and what can i do to get there ?

What firewalls did you disable? Note that:
1) Having multiple firewalls can cause problems.
2) All firewalls do NOT react well to being "disabled".
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html

And there are several other possibilities too, and any might be the cause of
your problem. Read this article with an open mind.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-visibility.html

For more direct help, provide "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" from each
computer, so we can 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

 

[zaxxon]

your links(and site seems to have a massive amount of information, many
thanks i will consume and digest it and hopefully come out the other
side a much more nowledgable person

it will take a while though... but many thanks

 

[Guest]

I used the "browstat status" command and it said "Microsoft Windows XP
[Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Something>browstat status


Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{random}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>

 

[Chuck]

I used the "browstat status" command and it said "Microsoft Windows XP
[Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Something>browstat status


Status for domain MSHOME on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{random}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>

That's from one computer. You need to compare it from each computer. Read the
complete article please.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/browstat-utility-from-microsoft.html

And it's best used, when paired with "ipconfig /all", and a comprehensive
description of the network.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/background-information-useful-in.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/background-information-useful-in.html