Networking PCs PROBLEM!

[pchaplo]

I have three workstations running on a LAN via a Linksys router. All was working great, but now two of my computers cant see each other. My third computer can see all the machines and access shared folders. All three can access the shared DSL connection for internet - works fine all around.

When the two affected computers try to access each other's shared folders, there is a slow response, followed by an error message that says you cannot access this network resource, check with admin to see if you have permissions I have no special permissions set. All 3 are part of the same workgroup. I have not changed any settings.

Im a photographer, not a network specialist. One thing that I thought of it that I may need to refresh/release the NIC assigned addresses? I have addresses automatically assigned. I believe Im using TCP/IP on Microsoft Network with Printer and File Sharing enabled.

Platforms: Dell-WinXP Home (this one can see all the network), HP-WinXP Home (this one can see the Dell-XP, but not the HP-Win98) and HP-Win98 (this one can see the Dell, but not the other HP-WinXP Home).

Before anyone crys "XP and Win98 dont mix," I just want to say that this network has worked great for over a year. Other info: one machine has a keystroke recording triojan that was removed promtly. It did not infect the other machines. However, we removed IE from the machine and installed FireFox.

Should I get into the the NICs and renew the addresses. I forget how to do that - do I go in through IE browser, or the system hardware listing?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul
--
No relation with any brands named other than giving them my hard earned money.

 

[Timzee]

I see this a LOT.

Try this test:

... two of my computers cant see each...

By "can't see" I assume you mean you can't browse to them in Network Neighborhood? Rather than trying to connect by browsing the network, do a search from one of the "blind" machines. Search for the computer by name that doesn't show up. (Start --> Search --> Search for computer --> etc.).

Very often the computer that you couldn't see before-- will show up.

 

[pchaplo]

Tim,

By "can't see" I assume you mean you can't browse to them in Network Neighborhood?

Right, I cant browse into their contents, however, I can see the computer name (e.g. "HPWin98") in the Windows Explorer Network Neighborhood, but I cannot view the shared folders inside. I do have shared folders & have checked them again to ensure that the sharing was still set-up correctly - it is.

Thanks,
Paul

Try this test:

... two of my computers cant see each...

By "can't see" I assume you mean you can't browse to them in
Network Neighborhood? Rather than trying to connect by browsing the
network, do a search from one of the "blind" machines. Search for
the computer by name that doesn't show up. (Start --> Search -->
Search for computer --> etc.).

Very often the computer that you couldn't see before-- will show up.

--
No relation with any brands named other than giving them my hard earned money.

 

[pchaplo]

I also checked the cables, etc. - all looks good to go, and as I mentioned, shared DSL is working fine for all 3 computers.

-Paul

By "can't see" I assume you mean you can't browse to them in Network Neighborhood?

Right, I cant browse into their contents, however, I can see
the computer name (e.g. "HPWin98") in the Windows Explorer
Network Neighborhood, but I cannot view the shared folders inside.
I do have shared folders & have checked them again to ensure that
the sharing was still set-up correctly - it is.

Thanks,
Paul

Try this test:

... two of my computers cant see each...

By "can't see" I assume you mean you can't browse to them in
Network Neighborhood? Rather than trying to connect by browsing the
network, do a search from one of the "blind" machines. Search for
the computer by name that doesn't show up. (Start --> Search -->
Search for computer --> etc.).

Very often the computer that you couldn't see before-- will show up.

--
No relation with any brands named other than giving them my hard
earned money.

--
No relation with any brands named other than giving them my hard earned money.

 

[Timzee]

I know it sounds weird, but try the search method I described earlier. If the search finds the other machine, try double-clicking on it.

For some reason that no one has been able to explain to me-- especially w/ mixed versions of Windows (98 + 2k + XP e.g.) what you're seeing is not at all uncommon.

Assuming it's the same kind of quirk (not something more involved such as bad NIC, or IP conflict, etc.) here's two other simple "kick the tires" things to try:

1. In Internet Explorer, go to: Tools --> Internet Options --> Connections --> and rerun the Setup wizard again. Often this will reset something and you'll be back in business. I've also seen this recommended in a number of tech forums. They can't explain what exactly it fixes, but it sometimes does.

2. Right click My Computer --> Properties and rerun the Network ID (or change computer name) wizard. Reboot.

Both of the above are the simplest things to try and I'd say at least 90% of the time will fix what you're experiencing-- given the fact that it was working up to a point, then simply stopped working without any obvious change in your work environment (new router, firewall, NIC, etc. etc.).

If none of this works then it might be a permissions issues somehow (I know, doesn't make sense!), a hardware thing, or perhaps time to get a MAC. (KIDDING!)

Good luck.

Tim

By "can't see" I assume you mean you can't browse to them in Network Neighborhood?

Right, I cant browse into their contents, however, I can see
the computer name (e.g. "HPWin98") in the Windows Explorer
Network Neighborhood, but I cannot view the shared folders inside.
I do have shared folders & have checked them again to ensure that
the sharing was still set-up correctly - it is.

Thanks,
Paul

Try this test:

... two of my computers cant see each...

By "can't see" I assume you mean you can't browse to them in
Network Neighborhood? Rather than trying to connect by browsing the
network, do a search from one of the "blind" machines. Search for
the computer by name that doesn't show up. (Start --> Search -->
Search for computer --> etc.).

Very often the computer that you couldn't see before-- will show up.

--
No relation with any brands named other than giving them my hard
earned money.

 

[Igor Schneider]

Longshot:

On the HP, Open "Local Security Policy", from Control Panel, Administrative Tools.

Select Securiity Options under Local Policies, scroll down until you see "Network security: LAN Manager authentication level" default is Send LM & NTLM responses. If it's not, set it to default and reboot.

Closer to home:

On both XP machines, open a Windows Explorer window, goto Tools, Folder Options, switch to the View Tab and scroll down to the bottom and disable "Use simple file sharing"

Create an identical (same name and password, password has to be non blank)) account on each machine and add them each to each machines respective admininstrators group.

Know each machines name ( example one is DELL the other is XP)

One a command prompt (Start, Run, "cmd")

At the prompt on the DELL type "net use * \\HP\c$" (replace HP with the real name of the HP machine and don't type the quotes)

Repeat on the HP and type "net use * \\DELL\c$" (replace DELL with the real name of the HP machine and don't type the quotes)

See if this works.

I have three workstations running on a LAN via a Linksys router.
All was working great, but now two of my computers cant see each
other. My third computer can see all the machines and access shared
folders. All three can access the shared DSL connection for
internet - works fine all around.

When the two affected computers try to access each other's shared
folders, there is a slow response, followed by an error message
that says you cannot access this network resource, check with
admin to see if you have permissions I have no special permissions
set. All 3 are part of the same workgroup. I have not changed any
settings.

Im a photographer, not a network specialist. One thing that I
thought of it that I may need to refresh/release the NIC assigned
addresses? I have addresses automatically assigned. I believe Im
using TCP/IP on Microsoft Network with Printer and File Sharing
enabled.

Platforms: Dell-WinXP Home (this one can see all the network),
HP-WinXP Home (this one can see the Dell-XP, but not the HP-Win98)
and HP-Win98 (this one can see the Dell, but not the other HP-WinXP
Home).

Before anyone crys "XP and Win98 dont mix," I just want to say that
this network has worked great for over a year. Other info: one
machine has a keystroke recording triojan that was removed promtly.
It did not infect the other machines. However, we removed IE from
the machine and installed FireFox.

Should I get into the the NICs and renew the addresses. I forget
how to do that - do I go in through IE browser, or the system
hardware listing?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul
--
No relation with any brands named other than giving them my hard
earned money.

 

[Igor Schneider]

Know each machines name ( example one is DELL the other is XP)

should read

Know each machines name ( example one is DELL the other is HP)

 

[JJMacks]

Paul

If things were working and no new software was installed try re-booting all three systems. Shutdown all three boot the XP systems first then boot the 98 system.

Two of the system are XP if by chance you installed SP2 it would have enabled Microsoft's firewall and may even have turned off file sharing. If sp2 is installed in the control panel the is nor a security center. You can try turning off the firewall to see if it is causing your problem.
--
JJMack

 

[Jim T]

I had similar problems and worked for weeks with a Microsoft Tech through many "solutions"

The solution that worked for me involved a registry edit:

"Click Start, click Run, input "regedit" (without the quotation marks) and press Enter.
Please locate to the following value.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters
3. Please right click "IRPStackSize" in the right panel and select "delete".
4. Restart the computer to test the issue."

I'd backup or export the registry first and give this a try.

 

[Adam Gardner]

Any firewall software installed? Zonealarm updated itself on mine and hid all of the shares for me (gee thanks). Otherwsie SP2 turns on the XP firewall, not sure if this prevents file sharing.

 

[jeffkrol]

I have three workstations running on a LAN via a Linksys router.
All was working great, but now two of my computers cant see each
other. My third computer can see all the machines and access shared
folders. All three can access the shared DSL connection for
internet - works fine all around.

When the two affected computers try to access each other's shared
folders, there is a slow response, followed by an error message
that says you cannot access this network resource, check with
admin to see if you have permissions I have no special permissions
set. All 3 are part of the same workgroup. I have not changed any
settings.

You got a lot of good advice below but I'd start with shutting EVERYTHING off (router, modem ect). Turn on modem, router, then one computer at a time in that order. Give each time to boot.

Been so long since I needed it I forgot the command line for the "relese/renew command in 98. I "babysit" 10 boxes at work and 5 at home (mixed 98, XP SP2 machines). and this usually works. If not, re-run the network setup in the 2 XP machines noting the network names ect. The 98 might be locked out and be harder to deal with( found it: run winipcfg at the run box in the 98 box, that gets you to release/renew, renew the right one in the dropdown box and when it renews make sure the numbers are "right"). I've seen spyware, browser hijacking ect. cause such problems as you never getting the correct address. If that happens then you got a problem that the only way I've dealt with it is hours of work trying to find and delete the offending program or a format/re-install of the OS. Probably other register ways to fix but that is beyond me.
The search for computer is also a good way to re-establish a connection.

The keystroke recorder software (and other things that came with it?) might have mucked up your TCP/IP " stuff" on the one box. As you might guess I'm no expert but have fought through a lot of problems in my own way

 

[Awesomejt]

One of the quickest ways to see if your computer can talk with another is to issue the ping command in the command line. Of course, this means you need to know the IP address of each computer but it will tell you if they can talk to each other.

Each system can tell you what the current ip address is with the ipconfig comand in Windows XP. I think it is winipcfg in Windows 98.

I have three workstations running on a LAN via a Linksys router.
All was working great, but now two of my computers cant see each
other. My third computer can see all the machines and access shared
folders. All three can access the shared DSL connection for
internet - works fine all around.

When the two affected computers try to access each other's shared
folders, there is a slow response, followed by an error message
that says you cannot access this network resource, check with
admin to see if you have permissions I have no special permissions
set. All 3 are part of the same workgroup. I have not changed any
settings.

Im a photographer, not a network specialist. One thing that I
thought of it that I may need to refresh/release the NIC assigned
addresses? I have addresses automatically assigned. I believe Im
using TCP/IP on Microsoft Network with Printer and File Sharing
enabled.

Platforms: Dell-WinXP Home (this one can see all the network),
HP-WinXP Home (this one can see the Dell-XP, but not the HP-Win98)
and HP-Win98 (this one can see the Dell, but not the other HP-WinXP
Home).

Before anyone crys "XP and Win98 dont mix," I just want to say that
this network has worked great for over a year. Other info: one
machine has a keystroke recording triojan that was removed promtly.
It did not infect the other machines. However, we removed IE from
the machine and installed FireFox.

Should I get into the the NICs and renew the addresses. I forget
how to do that - do I go in through IE browser, or the system
hardware listing?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul
--
No relation with any brands named other than giving them my hard
earned money.

--
Obligatory Signature

 

[rjbc]

u may also try refreshing your shared folders, sometimes they get corrupted somehow, I realized this when I could access one folder, but not another. try going into sharing, deactivate sharing for a folder, and then reactivate it.

this has helped me in the past, the error message yer getting (I think) sounds like a user permissions prob if its not a firewall one.

 

[B0b]

Each system can tell you what the current ip address is with the
ipconfig comand in Windows XP. I think it is winipcfg in Windows 98.

I have three workstations running on a LAN via a Linksys router.
All was working great, but now two of my computers cant see each
other. My third computer can see all the machines and access shared
folders. All three can access the shared DSL connection for
internet - works fine all around.

When the two affected computers try to access each other's shared
folders, there is a slow response, followed by an error message
that says you cannot access this network resource, check with
admin to see if you have permissions I have no special permissions
set. All 3 are part of the same workgroup. I have not changed any
settings.

Im a photographer, not a network specialist. One thing that I
thought of it that I may need to refresh/release the NIC assigned
addresses? I have addresses automatically assigned. I believe Im
using TCP/IP on Microsoft Network with Printer and File Sharing
enabled.

Platforms: Dell-WinXP Home (this one can see all the network),
HP-WinXP Home (this one can see the Dell-XP, but not the HP-Win98)
and HP-Win98 (this one can see the Dell, but not the other HP-WinXP
Home).

Before anyone crys "XP and Win98 dont mix," I just want to say that
this network has worked great for over a year. Other info: one
machine has a keystroke recording triojan that was removed promtly.
It did not infect the other machines. However, we removed IE from
the machine and installed FireFox.

Should I get into the the NICs and renew the addresses. I forget
how to do that - do I go in through IE browser, or the system
hardware listing?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul
--
No relation with any brands named other than giving them my hard
earned money.

--
Obligatory Signature

 

[Jim T]

my 2 XP pro SP1 machines and XP Home SP1 played just fine with the four Win98 machines in our house. Other than the issue that MS sorted out for me. Most of the issues were with XP machines accessing each other.

 

[Harvey]

Paul, Just set up my home network with two computeryesterday, both running Win XP SP2 & Norton Internet Security (firewall & antivirus). After first installing a new router and running Network Setup Wizard on both computer, it didn't work. I got the same message you did to the effect "you cannot access this network resource, check with admin to see if you have permissions". Working with the router Tech Support, he had me ipconfig & ping the other computer (as others have posted to do) on each computer and each time the ping was unsuccessful. Apparently, this was due to the Windows and/or Norton firewalls installed. After he had me turn off both firewalls on both computers and rerunning Network Setup Wizard on both, the network & firesharing worked.

Later, I went in and configured an exception to the Norton IS to allow the "ICS" traffic between the computers. And this moring I tested the printer sharing aspect and I could now see the printer hooked up to my wife's computer.

Hope this helps...Harvey

I have three workstations running on a LAN via a Linksys router.
All was working great, but now two of my computers cant see each
other. My third computer can see all the machines and access shared
folders. All three can access the shared DSL connection for
internet - works fine all around.

When the two affected computers try to access each other's shared
folders, there is a slow response, followed by an error message
that says you cannot access this network resource, check with
admin to see if you have permissions I have no special permissions
set. All 3 are part of the same workgroup. I have not changed any
settings.

Im a photographer, not a network specialist. One thing that I
thought of it that I may need to refresh/release the NIC assigned
addresses? I have addresses automatically assigned. I believe Im
using TCP/IP on Microsoft Network with Printer and File Sharing
enabled.

Platforms: Dell-WinXP Home (this one can see all the network),
HP-WinXP Home (this one can see the Dell-XP, but not the HP-Win98)
and HP-Win98 (this one can see the Dell, but not the other HP-WinXP
Home).

Before anyone crys "XP and Win98 dont mix," I just want to say that
this network has worked great for over a year. Other info: one
machine has a keystroke recording triojan that was removed promtly.
It did not infect the other machines. However, we removed IE from
the machine and installed FireFox.

Should I get into the the NICs and renew the addresses. I forget
how to do that - do I go in through IE browser, or the system
hardware listing?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul
--
No relation with any brands named other than giving them my hard
earned money.