XP network not working

[CMAR]

I recently added a new XP PRO computer ("C")to a home network, which
already has computers "A" (WIN08SE) and "B" (XP PRO).

Computers A and B continue to see each and communicate correctly over the
home network. But the new C computer doesn't operate properly on the
network, which works through a router.

On computer C, in "My Network Places", I can see all the shared folders
on computers A and B. But when I double-click one of the shared folders, I
get an error message:
"The folder is not accessible." (I am logged on as
Administrator.)

Also on computer C, when I double-click "Entire Network/Microsoft
Windows Network", and then dabchick the network name, "Workgroup", I see on
the name of computer C, but not of the other two computers on the network.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated,

Linda

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Did you run the XP Network setup wizard on all computers? If yes, did you
make sure to turn off any firewalls and antivirus software on all computers.
If yes, during the setup wizard, the user is asked how this computer
connects to the Internet, an incorrect answer can cause the issue you've
described. Usually, the "gateway" response as opposed to "network hub" is
the correct response and resolves the issue.

 

[CMAR]

Michael,
Thanks for the tip. Before I ran the XP setup wizard, I could access
computers A and B from C, but not vice versa. After running the wizard from
all three computers, I cannot access any of the computers from any of the
computers. So this was not my best solution.
Linda

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I recently added a new XP PRO computer ("C")to a home network, which
already has computers "A" (WIN08SE) and "B" (XP PRO).

Computers A and B continue to see each and communicate correctly over the
home network. But the new C computer doesn't operate properly on the
network, which works through a router.

On computer C, in "My Network Places", I can see all the shared folders
on computers A and B. But when I double-click one of the shared folders, I
get an error message:
"The folder is not accessible." (I am logged on as
Administrator.)

Also on computer C, when I double-click "Entire Network/Microsoft
Windows Network", and then dabchick the network name, "Workgroup", I see on
the name of computer C, but not of the other two computers on the network.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated,

Linda

These tips should help you get everything working:

1. Permanently disable XP's built-in Internet Connection Firewall on
local area network connections -- it's for use only on a direct modem
connection to the Internet. Disable and un-install all other
firewalls while troubleshooting. Details here:

Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/ic_firewall.htm

2. Use only one protocol for File and Printer Sharing. If the network
needs more than one protocol, unbind File and Printer Sharing from all
but one of them. Details here:

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

3. Make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all computers.
Details here:

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

4. Run "ipconfig /all" on XP and look at the "Node Type" at the
beginning of the output. If it says "Peer-to-Peer" (which should
actually be "Point-to-Point") that's the problem. It means that the
computer only uses a WINS server, which isn't available on a
peer-to-peer network for NetBIOS name resolution.

If that's the case, run the registry editor, open this key:

HLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netbt\Parameters

and delete these values if they're present:

NodeType
DhcpNodeType

Reboot, then try network access again.

If that doesn't fix it, open that registry key again, create a DWORD
value called "NodeType", and set it to 1 for "Broadcast" or 4 for
"Mixed".

For details, see these Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:

Default Node Type for Microsoft Clients
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;160177

TCP/IP and NBT Configuration Parameters for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314053
--
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

 

[CMAR]

Steve, thanks for the fabulous post. I think that your tips have taken me
50% towards solving my network problem. I do have a few questions.

1) On your point 2., for my LAN connections, two bindings are shown:
"file & Printer sharing for MS networks (TCP/IP) and
"Client for MS Network (TCPIP).

But the article you linked to doesn't say which of these two should
be unchecked?


2) I have two XP computers and one WIN98-SE computer on the LAN. The
WIN98-SE computer has the NetBeui protocol listed. Can that be safely
removed or is it still needed?


3) Ipconfig runs (but too fast to see any output.) Ipconfig/all is not a
good program name. I get error message:
'Windows does not recognize program "ipconfig/all".'

Thanks for your expertise, Linda