XP Peer to Peer Networking is driving me nuts!

[Guest]

Hi everybody

I am pulling my hair out trying to get 2 PC's talking...

They both are running XP SP2. PC1 is a Notebook connected to a wireless
router and PC2 is connected via Cat5 Cabling to the router also. They both
can access the Internet happily but after many many hours of trying to get
these two PC's to talk and share folder.....I need help!

I have followed all of the "how to" stuff. PC1 can ping PC2 and PC2 can ping
PC1 but neither can see the other via "My Network Places". It is really
driving me nuts!

They both have been configured to be part of a workgroup called "WORKGROUP".
I have manually turned on "Netbios over TCP/IP" on both PC's. I have disabled
Windows Firewall as this is the only firewall that they are using. I have
checked the router to make sure that it does not have any "funny" settings.

HELP!

Thanks
Regards
Greg

 

[Chuck]

Hi everybody

I am pulling my hair out trying to get 2 PC's talking...

They both are running XP SP2. PC1 is a Notebook connected to a wireless
router and PC2 is connected via Cat5 Cabling to the router also. They both
can access the Internet happily but after many many hours of trying to get
these two PC's to talk and share folder.....I need help!

I have followed all of the "how to" stuff. PC1 can ping PC2 and PC2 can ping
PC1 but neither can see the other via "My Network Places". It is really
driving me nuts!

They both have been configured to be part of a workgroup called "WORKGROUP".
I have manually turned on "Netbios over TCP/IP" on both PC's. I have disabled
Windows Firewall as this is the only firewall that they are using. I have
checked the router to make sure that it does not have any "funny" settings.

HELP!

Thanks
Regards
Greg

Hi Greg,

Have you posted here before, maybe using a different nym? I can't find your
current nym here.

A misconfigured or overlooked personal firewall, or other security component is
the most likely, but not the only possible, 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

Or provide "browstat status", "ipconfig /all", "net config server", and "net
config workstation", 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

 

[Guest]

Hi Chuck,

I have not posted in this forum before.

I will read the articles you mentioned and get back to you.

Thanks for the prompt reply

Regards
Greg

 

[Guest]

Hi Chuck,

Just to provide you with some more information. I am connecting remotely to
the 2 PC's that have the problem so it will be a few days before I can get
the information you need in full. Also, I only really want "Simple
Networking" as there are only 2 PC's and I want to keep things as simple as
possible.

The following is an ipconfig from one of the PC's:


Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Mark

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

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

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

DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : BigPond



Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : BigPond

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G510
Wireless PCI Adapter(rev.C)

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-15-E9-AD-78-F8

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

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.196

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

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.0.138

192.168.0.1

NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, 2 September 2006
5:05:53 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, 9 September 2006
5:05:53 PM


Why is The "NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled"???

I have manually set the "Netbios over TCP/IP" setting to enable but the
ipconfig still says that it is disable (I rebooted after making the change)..

I am going to have to go out onsite to resolve this issue so any help you
can provide would be great!

Thanks
Regards
Greg

 

[Guest]

I appear to have a similar problem. Two PCs connected through a router via
Cat5 cable and one wireless laptop connected through the same router. Until
a few weeks ago they could all share files and printers, and an internet
connection through the router. Now the only thing that works is the internet
connection.

The PCs can each ping the other, but when I try to open the network drive I
have mapped to the other PC I now get "path not found".

I am suspicious that this may be related to my recent switch to Wildblue
satelite internet service, but so far I have not been able to find any
changed config settings that would affect the ability to share files and
printers. Any suggestions?

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck,

Just to provide you with some more information. I am connecting remotely to
the 2 PC's that have the problem so it will be a few days before I can get
the information you need in full. Also, I only really want "Simple
Networking" as there are only 2 PC's and I want to keep things as simple as
possible.

The following is an ipconfig from one of the PC's:


Windows IP Configuration



Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Mark

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

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

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

DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : BigPond



Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:



Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : BigPond

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G510
Wireless PCI Adapter(rev.C)

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-15-E9-AD-78-F8

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

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.196

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

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.0.138

192.168.0.1

NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, 2 September 2006
5:05:53 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, 9 September 2006
5:05:53 PM


Why is The "NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled"???

I have manually set the "Netbios over TCP/IP" setting to enable but the
ipconfig still says that it is disable (I rebooted after making the change)..

I am going to have to go out onsite to resolve this issue so any help you
can provide would be great!

Thanks
Regards
Greg

Greg,

In your case, I'll recommend CPSServ, run from each computer (relational
analysis works best with multiple, redundant views). Remember to download
PSTools (free) too.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/cpsserv-comprehensive-psservice-source.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/cpsserv-comprehensive-psservice-source.html

And since we may spend a while discussing this, you'll help us both by replying
after my replies.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting

 

[Chuck]

I appear to have a similar problem. Two PCs connected through a router via
Cat5 cable and one wireless laptop connected through the same router. Until
a few weeks ago they could all share files and printers, and an internet
connection through the router. Now the only thing that works is the internet
connection.

The PCs can each ping the other, but when I try to open the network drive I
have mapped to the other PC I now get "path not found".

I am suspicious that this may be related to my recent switch to Wildblue
satelite internet service, but so far I have not been able to find any
changed config settings that would affect the ability to share files and
printers. Any suggestions?

I'll ask you to start a new thread, with a unique and descriptive subject, so we
can help you better.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#Hijacking>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#Hijacking

And reply after any previous posts, not before.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting

 

[Guest]

Greg,

In your case, I'll recommend CPSServ, run from each computer (relational
analysis works best with multiple, redundant views). Remember to download
PSTools (free) too.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/cpsserv-comprehensive-psservice-source.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/cpsserv-comprehensive-psservice-source.html

And since we may spend a while discussing this, you'll help us both by replying
after my replies.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-to-post-on-usenet-and-encourage.html#TopPosting

Thanks Chuck,

I will try to remember to reply at the bottom of the post in future.

Am I correct in assuming that in order to get "simple networking" working
that Netbios over TCP/IP needs to be enabled?

If this is true, then does the fact that the IPCONFIG shows "NetBIOS over
Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled" represent a problem?

As I will be forced to attend the site tommorrow, any suggestions and
recommendation that you may have would be appreciated.

A few things that I forgot to mention is that both PC's were upgraded to XP
Pro (one from XP Home and the other from Millenium). One is also using NTFS
and the other FAT32....

Thanks again for your help.

Best Regards
Greg

 

[Chuck]

Thanks Chuck,

I will try to remember to reply at the bottom of the post in future.

Am I correct in assuming that in order to get "simple networking" working
that Netbios over TCP/IP needs to be enabled?

If this is true, then does the fact that the IPCONFIG shows "NetBIOS over
Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled" represent a problem?

As I will be forced to attend the site tommorrow, any suggestions and
recommendation that you may have would be appreciated.

A few things that I forgot to mention is that both PC's were upgraded to XP
Pro (one from XP Home and the other from Millenium). One is also using NTFS
and the other FAT32....

Thanks again for your help.

Best Regards
Greg

Greg,

File Sharing (ie Windows Networking) can use any of several protocols. Most
common is SMBs over NetBT.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html

With Windows XP / 2000, you can have SMBs directly hosted over IP.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html

Protocol is not related to file sharing type. Simple File Sharing (NOT "Simple
Networking") is simply an authentication method. Please read my articles, for
details.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html

Run CPSServ on both computers, and post results.

 

[Guest]

Greg,

File Sharing (ie Windows Networking) can use any of several protocols. Most
common is SMBs over NetBT.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/04/netbios-over-tcpip.html

With Windows XP / 2000, you can have SMBs directly hosted over IP.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/07/advanced-windows-networking-using.html

Protocol is not related to file sharing type. Simple File Sharing (NOT "Simple
Networking") is simply an authentication method. Please read my articles, for
details.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/file-sharing-under-windows-xp.html

Run CPSServ on both computers, and post results.

Hi Chuck

I will be onsite tommorrow and will run CPSServ on each PC and post the
results.

Thanks
Regards
Greg

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck

I will be onsite tommorrow and will run CPSServ on each PC and post the
results.

Thanks
Regards
Greg

Good, Greg. If you stick around the site for a while, we may have a few more
diagnostics too. Be patient and persistent.

 

[Guest]

Good, Greg. If you stick around the site for a while, we may have a few more
diagnostics too. Be patient and persistent.

Hi Chuck,

Ok, here is what I found when I went onsite to see what was happening.

Prior to going onsite, I setup 2 notebooks using wireless and configured
them so that file sharing was working fine so thatI could take them with me
to see if they worked attached to the client network.

In a nutshell, it appears that the main problem was that the wireless
network was not robust enough and was dropping out. To refresh your memory,
the network was only 2 PC's (notebook (PC1) and a desktop(PC2)) with each
connecting to the router wirelessly (did I read somewhere that this can cause
a problem with establishing a PC as the master broswer?). Anyway, I removed
the wireless NIC from PC2 and connected it direct to the router via CAT5
cable and its onboard NIC. I then tried to "repair" the connection by right
clicking the connection in Windows. This did not work and came up with an
error regarding NetBT. I then did an ipconfig /renew and all started to
work!!!

The 2 notebooks that I brought worked fine and could see each other when
connected to the wireless network. I then set up a batch file that copied a
number of large files backwards and forwards across the network in a loop so
that I could test the robustnest of the network. This test showed me that the
wireless connection for PC1 was a problem and at one stage I could not get it
to work at all!

I then moved PC1 near to the router and connected it via CAT5. I then did an
ipconfig /renew on PC1 and everything worked again!

I then re-established the wireless connection in PC1 whilst it was near the
router (within 1 meter) and tested again with the batch file. Everything
worked fine so I then relocated it back in its orginal location in another
room and tested again. The connection strength was fluctuating around 65% and
therefore was causing intermittent drop outs.

I relocated the wireless aerial on PC1 and the strength went up to 100% and
no more drop outs.

I have told the client that the MUST install a CAT5 cable to connect PC1 to
the router......problem solved.

Chuck, I hope the above makes sense. Again thanks for your help and I look
forward to reading ALL of the information on your great website.

Regards
Greg

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck,

Ok, here is what I found when I went onsite to see what was happening.

Prior to going onsite, I setup 2 notebooks using wireless and configured
them so that file sharing was working fine so thatI could take them with me
to see if they worked attached to the client network.

In a nutshell, it appears that the main problem was that the wireless
network was not robust enough and was dropping out. To refresh your memory,
the network was only 2 PC's (notebook (PC1) and a desktop(PC2)) with each
connecting to the router wirelessly (did I read somewhere that this can cause
a problem with establishing a PC as the master broswer?). Anyway, I removed
the wireless NIC from PC2 and connected it direct to the router via CAT5
cable and its onboard NIC. I then tried to "repair" the connection by right
clicking the connection in Windows. This did not work and came up with an
error regarding NetBT. I then did an ipconfig /renew and all started to
work!!!

The 2 notebooks that I brought worked fine and could see each other when
connected to the wireless network. I then set up a batch file that copied a
number of large files backwards and forwards across the network in a loop so
that I could test the robustnest of the network. This test showed me that the
wireless connection for PC1 was a problem and at one stage I could not get it
to work at all!

I then moved PC1 near to the router and connected it via CAT5. I then did an
ipconfig /renew on PC1 and everything worked again!

I then re-established the wireless connection in PC1 whilst it was near the
router (within 1 meter) and tested again with the batch file. Everything
worked fine so I then relocated it back in its orginal location in another
room and tested again. The connection strength was fluctuating around 65% and
therefore was causing intermittent drop outs.

I relocated the wireless aerial on PC1 and the strength went up to 100% and
no more drop outs.

I have told the client that the MUST install a CAT5 cable to connect PC1 to
the router......problem solved.

Chuck, I hope the above makes sense. Again thanks for your help and I look
forward to reading ALL of the information on your great website.

Regards
Greg

Hi Greg,

Congrats, I think you're on the right track.

The browser system depends upon reliable communication between the master
browser and the other browsers. If communication gets broken, which is normal
for WiFi periodically, you can end up with 2 master browsers, and a segmented
workgroup. It sounds like you were seeing a variant of that. If you have a
network with just 2 computers, you should disable the browser on the second
computer.

WiFi is tricky to work with, too. It isn't a replacement for Ethernet, period.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/proper-network-design.html#WiFi>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/proper-network-design.html#WiFi

So enjoy the reading, and post back here with questions.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Chuck

Regards
Greg

Hi Greg,

Congrats, I think you're on the right track.

The browser system depends upon reliable communication between the master
browser and the other browsers. If communication gets broken, which is normal
for WiFi periodically, you can end up with 2 master browsers, and a segmented
workgroup. It sounds like you were seeing a variant of that. If you have a
network with just 2 computers, you should disable the browser on the second
computer.

WiFi is tricky to work with, too. It isn't a replacement for Ethernet, period.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/proper-network-design.html#WiFi>