XP Home Edition Firewall blocking Local Connection

[Guest]

I have been pulling my hair out for three weeks trying to fix this problem.
I had my home network up and operational. Simple file and print sharing.
Somewhere along the line i must have downloaded an update that has made it
impossible to access my "host" pc (attached to the printer). It cannot even
see itself on the network. I am attached to a Linksys Wireless router
(working fine, all pc's can connect to the internet via AOL) and when I go
into the properties of the ethernet connection the Windows firewall is still
on, even though i have disabled it. It is blocking File and Print sharing
and the check box cannot be unchecked. It is being blocked by a group
policy, which cannot be edited via gpedit.msc in home edition.
I have tried a bunch of the "home" remedies like downloading the Windows
Resource Tool Kit, and using netsh to force open the port. Can somebody help
me resovle this?

 

[Chuck]

I have been pulling my hair out for three weeks trying to fix this problem.
I had my home network up and operational. Simple file and print sharing.
Somewhere along the line i must have downloaded an update that has made it
impossible to access my "host" pc (attached to the printer). It cannot even
see itself on the network. I am attached to a Linksys Wireless router
(working fine, all pc's can connect to the internet via AOL) and when I go
into the properties of the ethernet connection the Windows firewall is still
on, even though i have disabled it. It is blocking File and Print sharing
and the check box cannot be unchecked. It is being blocked by a group
policy, which cannot be edited via gpedit.msc in home edition.
I have tried a bunch of the "home" remedies like downloading the Windows
Resource Tool Kit, and using netsh to force open the port. Can somebody help
me resovle this?

Moax,

There are several possible causes of this problem, such as a misconfigured or
overlooked personal firewall, or other security component. AOL may even bundle
some tools. 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