Network- Sharing Files

AMDX23800+

AMDX23800+

AMDX23800+

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Joined
11 Mar 2006
Posts
673
Hi,
I now have 5 computers on my home network, but i have a problem with one of them :(.
For some reason when i go to 'my network places' i cant see any of the other computers on the network :confused:. All the other computers work fine.
I have done the network wizard, assigned the ips etc (192.168.2.6) but no luck.
The weird thing is that i can connect to it via Remote Desktop perfectly fine by using 192.168.2.6 :confused:
Also, i think this is the only computer with XP PRO, could this cause problems?Cheers
AMD :)
 
Check that your firewall (Windows firewall) is set to allow the print and file sharing ports.
 
Yes, i think the firewall was automatically configured for sharing files when i did the network wizard.
I also tried it with the firewall off, same problem. :(
 
Try bypassing windoze's awful networking by using the IP Address to address the file share. Whack \\192.168.2.6 into your run... prompt and see what happens. this is ALWAYS quicker than waiting for windoze networking to catch up. Even in their own manuals it says that it can take up to 45mins to propogate machine names across the network.

Often when you give it a "kick" with \\192.168.2.6 you will then find that the "my network places" list suddenly starts working... :D
 
I tried \\192.168.2.6 in the run box and all te files/printers appeared :)

However it still isn't showing up in 'network places', is it possible that i have set the 'computer's network name' wrong?
I ask this because it shows the computer's description but it doesn't say 'On SERVER', instead it just has (192.168.2.6). Also, on the concerned PC i can't view the other computers in 'network places'.
 
Check that all the machines are in the same workgroup. Right click the My Computer icon and check the Computer Name page. Make sure the workgroup really is identical in all cases. While there also check the computer name. Use a name without spaces in it. And if you have old Win98 PCs around, you'll need to keep the name under 8 characters.

What XP Versions are these? Beware that XP Pro and XP Home are different beasts when it comes to networking. Also the service pack levels will also have an effect.

Technical background When you fire up a number of PCs on a Microsoft network, one of them will become the "Master Browser". Then all the rest will ask that machine what is going on. Sometimes it will just "guess" based on what it saw twenty mins ago.

The Master Browser is decided by the "biggest" OS. XP Pro is above XP Home. And a fully service packed machine is above one not updated.

Check all PCs have same network stack setup. Go to each machine and check the network properties. Do they all have:
  • Client for Microsoft Networks.
  • File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.
  • Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
  • QoS Packet Scheduler (optional)

Check Netbios settings On each PC, go into the TCP/IP Settings, hit that Advanced button, and make sure the WINS page / Netbios settings are on "default (or Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP)". Whichever - just make sure they are all the same.


It sounds like we have already illiminated all firewalls. but double check this on each PC. Do they have third party firewalls like Zone Alarm, NIS, whatever? OR are they all useing the Windoze default one?


A game of "spot the difference". Good luck. :) Though you at least now have a way of making it work with IP Addresses. This is always faster anyway as it bypasses M$ slow networking..... :D

PS - sometimes you will find that if you do a "\\192.168.2.6" and wait for the window to pop up. Then immediately do a "\\machinename", then you may see everything starts working....
 
Last edited:
1. All machines are on 'MSHOME' workgroup.
2. Other PCs are XP HOME, this computer is XP PRO.
3. All Netbios set to 'default'
4. All firewalls are set to trust ips 192.168.2.2-6

Still can't get it fully working :( but at least i can use that command for the time being :)
 
Ahh... makes sense. XP Pro is being paranoid about the XP Home machines. Probally something in the Group Policy editor, but I am not an expert on this. Whack "Gpedit.msc" into your run... prompt and have a nose around. Use http:\\support.microsoft.com to try and get a few answers.

Big hint - make sure you note down anything you change so you can put it back again if it don't work. :)

Am I guessing that this XP Pro PC is not fully service packed due to a few.... ahem... licence issues? Maybe there is a missing update that is on the Home machines. (Just a guess)


I have a mix of PCs in my house. All legal and fully updated, some XP Home with mainly XP Pro. The annoying parts of XP Home is it don't let you change the username being used to login to XP Pro. (And when they do, they don't let you stash them in the registry... due to the limited networking of XP Home :rolleyes: )

I often end up setting up user accounts on the XP Pro machines to mirror the names that will be used by the XP Home PCs. (Right click My Computer, select Manage, then adding users in here will allow you to custom create your own local users and groups without having to include them in the standard "Users or Administrators" group, therefore avoiding messing up the login screen on the XP Pro machine with all them messy account names. If you feel like getting this mad... ask for clearer details.)

Or just set everything to share to the "everyone" group. (I don't do this as I have a few brainless mates who bring their PCs round and accidently delete files from my servers.... grrrrrr.....)


Actually another thought of a trick I do on my own PCs which may well help more directly. I make use of my local "hosts" files. Bit of an advanced trick... Setup your DHCP Server to allocate fixed addresses, so each PC's MAC Address is tied to the same IP Address each time. Then every PC will always be in the same place. Now look at c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts (open the file in notepad as it is a text file). Add the machine names and IP Addresses into this list. Then copy the same file onto each PC. This should then speed up the Netbios lookups.... though it will need to be maintained on each PC when machines are changed.... :D :cool:


OR: just use Network Places on each PC and manually add in the links to that server's folder using it's IP Address. Then they will always be offered on screen, even if NetBIOS is lagging.


As they say - there is always more than one way to skin a cat.... :p
 
Thanks for all your help mate :)
All PCs are fully updated and on SP2.
My DHCP is always 'off' and each computer has its on permanent ip.
I will try a few of your suggestions and get back to you :)
Thanks again :)
AMD
 
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