XP/98/Win2000 Workgroup

[gkamieneski]

I'm having a lot of trouble with file and printer sharing in a small
home network I have consisting of Windows XP Professional, Windows 98
and Windows 2000 PCs. Some are connected wirelessly others ethernet
through a linksys router.

I don't seem to be able to get any of the PCs to be able to see the
other machines in the workgroup. Pinging IP addresses works but
pinging computer names does not. The router DHCP table correctly lists
all the clients. What am I missing here to be able to enable file and
printer sharing for the workgroup? Do I need to add DNS suffixes to
each machine?

thanks.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I'm having a lot of trouble with file and printer sharing in a small
home network I have consisting of Windows XP Professional, Windows 98
and Windows 2000 PCs. Some are connected wirelessly others ethernet
through a linksys router.

I don't seem to be able to get any of the PCs to be able to see the
other machines in the workgroup. Pinging IP addresses works but
pinging computer names does not. The router DHCP table correctly lists
all the clients. What am I missing here to be able to enable file and
printer sharing for the workgroup? Do I need to add DNS suffixes to
each machine?

thanks.

Make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all computers, as
shown here:

Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/netbt.htm

Remove all other network protocols (NetBEUI, IPX/SPX, NWLink) from all
computers. An extra protocol on even one computer can disrupt the
whole network, especially when XP is involved.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[gkamieneski]

Thanks, Steve.

I tried all of that, making sure NetBios was active and the Network
Setup disk (doesn't help for Win2000). Still although these PCs can
ping each other's IP addy, they cannot ping each other's computer name.
Leads me to believe that there is some problem with DNS at play here.
Workgroup just doesn't recognize its members and explicit references to
PC Computer Names are also unaccepted.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all computers, as
shown here:

Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/netbt.htm

Remove all other network protocols (NetBEUI, IPX/SPX, NWLink) from all
computers. An extra protocol on even one computer can disrupt the
whole network, especially when XP is involved.

Thanks, Steve.

I tried all of that, making sure NetBios was active and the Network
Setup disk (doesn't help for Win2000). Still although these PCs can
ping each other's IP addy, they cannot ping each other's computer name.
Leads me to believe that there is some problem with DNS at play here.
Workgroup just doesn't recognize its members and explicit references to
PC Computer Names are also unaccepted.[/QUOTE]

A workgroup network uses NetBIOS over TCP/IP, not DNS, to resolve
computer names. Windows 98, 2000, and XP don't have a built-in DNS
server.

Are you saying that none of the computers can ping any of the
computers (including itself) by computer name? That would be very
unusual.

Make sure that firewalls aren't blocking these ports: TCP 139, TCP
445, UDP 137, UDP 138.

Are there any relevant messages in Event Viewer on Win2000 and XP?

Make sure that these services are running on Win2000 and XP: Computer
Browser, TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[gkamieneski]

A workgroup network uses NetBIOS over TCP/IP, not DNS, to resolve
computer names. Windows 98, 2000, and XP don't have a built-in DNS
server.

Are you saying that none of the computers can ping any of the
computers (including itself) by computer name? That would be very
unusual.

Make sure that firewalls aren't blocking these ports: TCP 139, TCP
445, UDP 137, UDP 138.

Are there any relevant messages in Event Viewer on Win2000 and XP?

Make sure that these services are running on Win2000 and XP: Computer
Browser, TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Thanks, Steve.

The only firewall in force is the NAT firewall on my Linksys wireless
router. I will check the other points you mention. Only the single PC
itself can be pinged by computer name. None of them can ping each
other by name only IP addy.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Thanks, Steve.

The only firewall in force is the NAT firewall on my Linksys wireless
router. I will check the other points you mention. Only the single PC
itself can be pinged by computer name. None of them can ping each
other by name only IP addy.

Use just the computer name when pinging. For example:

ping desktop

Don't include a DNS suffix. Don't say:

ping desktop.mshome.net
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[gkamieneski]

Steve, that's all I have been doing, pinging the computer name only,
e.g., ping Dell, ping ThinkPad. Thanks.

 

[Chuck]

Steve, that's all I have been doing, pinging the computer name only,
e.g., ping Dell, ping ThinkPad. Thanks.

I gotta say I'm curious why Steve hasn't asked you about your configurations
yet. Or advised you to just map a share using the ip address.

Make sure you don't have a misconfigured or overlooked firewall - what antivirus
protection do you use? Also, check registry setting restrictanonymous on each
computer.
Misconfigured / overlooked firewalls:
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
Registry setting restrictanonymous:
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/restrictanonymous-and-your-server.html>

Finally, show us "browstat status" and "ipconfig /all" from each computer, as a
diagnostic aid. Read this article, and linked articles, and follow instructions
precisely:
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>

 

[gkamieneski]

I'll work on getting the ipconfig info. Oddly, I can map a drive using
the IP.

 

[Chuck]

I'll work on getting the ipconfig info. Oddly, I can map a drive using
the IP.

Not odd. You have a browser / name resolution problem. Or a browser / name
resolution problem is a symptom of the overall problem.

 

[gkamieneski]

Also, can't ping IP or number between Windows 2000 laptop(wirless) and
Windows XP Pro desktop(ethernet).

Here are my ipconfig and browstat results:

W98
Windows 98 IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . : A20M.hsd1.nh.comcast.net.

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . : 24.34.241.8

24.34.240.8

68.87.64.196

Node Type . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast

NetBIOS Scope ID. . . . . . :

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . : No

NetBIOS Resolution Uses DNS : No



0 Ethernet adapter :



Description . . . . . . . . : PPP Adapter.

Physical Address. . . . . . : 44-45-53-54-00-00

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . :

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255

Primary WINS Server . . . . :

Secondary WINS Server . . . :

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . :

Lease Expires . . . . . . . :



1 Ethernet adapter :



Description . . . . . . . . : PPP Adapter.

Physical Address. . . . . . : 44-45-53-54-00-00

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . :

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255

Primary WINS Server . . . . :

Secondary WINS Server . . . :

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . :

Lease Expires . . . . . . . :



2 Ethernet adapter :



Description . . . . . . . . : 3Com 10/100 Mini PCI Ethernet Adapter

Physical Address. . . . . . : 00-00-86-44-18-BA

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . : 169.254.3.169

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . :

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255

Primary WINS Server . . . . :

Secondary WINS Server . . . :

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . : 08 28 05 7:45:05 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . :



3 Ethernet adapter :



Description . . . . . . . . : Instant Wireless USB Network Adapter
ver.2.6

Physical Address. . . . . . : 00-06-25-08-35-57

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.5

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . : 192.168.16.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.1

Primary WINS Server . . . . :

Secondary WINS Server . . . :

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . : 08 28 05 7:45:07 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . : 08 29 05 7:45:07 AM

Windows 2000
Windows 2000 IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : T23
Primary DNS Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.nh.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.nh.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Instant Wireless Network PC Card
V3.0
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-06-25-0A-D2-6A
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.4
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 24.34.241.8
24.34.240.8
68.87.64.196
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, August 26, 2005 6:17:07 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, August 27, 2005 6:17:07
AM
Status for domain KAMIENESKI on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{B5CBCF73-1E9A-42A6-953E-E80186874B0F}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: T23
Master browser is running build 2195

Windows XP Pro
Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Dell

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.nh.comcast.net.



Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.nh.comcast.net.

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100
Integrated Controller

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-74-BC-80-3D

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.2

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.16.1

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 24.34.241.8

24.34.240.8

68.87.64.196

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, August 28, 2005
8:25:56 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, August 29, 2005
8:25:56 AM

Status for domain KAMIENESKI on transport
\Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{F20F5155-6075-4F60-8469-C72138A62FAB}
Browsing is NOT active on domain.
Master browser name is held by: DELL
Master browser is running build 2600