[hanleyc]

Hi Guys,

I am hoping someone could help me please. Ive looked at many posts on here, and tried several things, but cant seem to get it fixed.The issue is that I cannot see the other pc's, or share anything between the 3 computers. All pc's can access the internet no problem.

I will try and describe the setup here....

I have 3 pc's at home - 2 desktops, and 1 laptop. The laptop is running vista 64(sp1), the desktops both running xp (sp3).

Here's how the network is set up.

ADSL modem > wireless router > desktop 1 (Ethernet into router)

Desktop 2 and laptop wireless.

Problem is that i cannot see or share files. On the vista laptop, I can go into network map and see all 3 computers. When I click on the icons, nothing happens.

On the 2 desktops, I cannot see any other computers or shared folders, although several folders are set to share.

I can ping all 3 computers using any pc/laptop. The workgroup has the same name - ie: "workgroup"

How do I get the network viewable and how do I share files?

Regards

Craig

Frustrated first time networker.

[hanleyc]

Ok this may sound stupid, but I fixed my problem...After weeks of trying..I feel like a real goose now....


I initially read the setup instructions with the router that told me that each pc had to have the same name, and workgroup, so that is what I did. But with each pc having the same name, it doesnt show up in the network. I just went and changed each pc's name, and VIOLLA !....I have a viewable network.




Man do I feel silly.

[hanleyc]

OK back to square 1...rebooted and cant see any pc's or shared folders at all now...any ideas?????

[JohnWill]

Turn off any firewalls for debugging. If the firewall is the problem, you'll have to configure it to allow access to "trusted zone" addresses. Note that some firewalls must be completely uninstalled to stop them from affecting your networking.

Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD to open a command prompt.

In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following commands:

PING each remote computer by IP address, and if successful, PING by name. Open a command prompt as described above and type.

PING <ip address>
or
PING <computer name>

Where:
<ip address> - is the x.x.x.x IP address
<computer name> - is the computer name

A failure to PING is almost always a firewall configuration issue. Any failure to PING needs to be corrected before you go any farther.

Note: You can obtain the IP address and computer name of a computer by opening a command prompt (DOS window) and typing IPCONFIG /ALL. This should work for any Windows version. The IPCONFIG /ALL display will provide a wealth of useful information for debugging your network connection.

Check your Services are Started on all PCs:

• COM+ Event System (for WZC issues)
• Computer Browser
• DHCP Client
• DNS Client
• Network Connections
• Network Location Awareness
• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
• Server
• TCP/IP Netbios helper
• Wireless Zero Configuration (XP wireless configurations)
• WLAN AutoConfig (Vista wireless configurations)
• Workstation

Note: You can check the services in Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services.

All of these services should be started, and their startup type should be automatic.

If a service is not running, open it's properties and check the dependencies. Check each of the dependencies and see which one is preventing the service from running. Checking the event log is also a good idea here, there may be clues to what is failing.


All computers should be in the same workgroup for computer browsing to function properly. File & Print Sharing has to be enabled on any computer you wish to share files or printers from. You also need to actually share the resource in question from My Computer, right click on the drive/printer/folder, and select sharing.

If you encounter difficulties accessing computers that are visible in Network Places (Network and Sharing Center in Vista), make sure the computer being accessed has an account with the same name/password as the system connecting to it uses to login. NOTE: Vista's default is to require a password on the account to enable file/print sharing.

While the default NetBIOS setting is correct for normal network configurations, it's possible for it to be altered, and it costs nothing to make sure it's correct. NETBIOS over TCP/IP must be enabled for normal network browsing. You can open a command prompt as described above and type the following command: nbtstat -n. This will display the status of NetBIOS or indicate it's not configured.

[TerryNet]

Did you actually enable file and printer sharing on all PCs?

[hanleyc]

Ok its working again...all of the services mentioned are working and set to auto.

File sharing and printer sharing are set to share.

Not sure why, but it seems that the network dropped out or couldnt be found fro some reason, but after re booting all devices, it was there, and was accessible again.

I also have a wireless media player that I cannot seem to find on the network at all. It is a wireless g but I think that my wireless n router should be able to see that. Correct??

This seems to be the last piece of the puzzle I havent been able to fit in?

[JohnWill]

There's no problem with 802.11n and 802.11g as long as you haven't restricted 802.11g connections in the router's configuration. That's the first thing to check.

[hanleyc]

It's a TP-LInk WR941ND router, which doesnt run in "n only mode". This is what I read somewhere, so I think it's correct.

I cannot find any other setting in the configuration that would indicate that it has restrictions on g mode.

Open for suggestions though?