Shares not visible

[y6y6y6]

Okay. I give up. Please help.

I just bought a Dell Windows XP laptop. I can't get it to be visible on the network. None of the other computers can see the laptop's shared folders, and the laptop can't see any of the shares on the other computers. But the other computers can see each others share just fine.

I know the computer is on the network because it can get out to the Internet through the same hub the other computers are on.

Of the computers that are sharing files just fine I have one other WinXP machine, three Win2K machines, and a Mac. I've set up the laptop with the same networking protocols as the other XP machine. I'm using a workgroup rather than a domain.

I've tried browsing to the share via Network Neighborhood, and mapping to the share in Explorer with the \\machine\sharename format. No matter what I try it can't find the shares going in either direction.

On thing that seems odd is that if I right click on the folders on the laptop I don't see the "Security" tab. And if I go into the "Folder Options" dialog I don't see the checkbox to turn that tab on.

Please help. How do I get the laptop sharing files with the other computers?

[VENCO]

Okay, I'm going to assume with what you said that you properly right clicked the folder you want to share and field in the appropriate fields, etc.

Now, make sure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled by doing the following (on your laptop):
Start > Settings > Network Connections
Right click on Local Area Connection > Properties
Now make sure "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" is checked.

If that doesn't solve it I might know another solution...

[Brendan]

but you'll save that for another post ;) haha

[y6y6y6]

Yeah, I should have mentioned that the folder was shared (it has the little hand under it right?) and I have file sharing on.

[VENCO]

Hey, my monitor is dying.... lol:cool:

Anyway, y6y6y6, do you have the firewall in Windows XP enabled? This might cause you not to be able to connect.

Back where you checked "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" go to the Advanced tab. Make sure you do not have the box checked here.

[HRGraham]

Don't all of the workgroup names need to be the same in order for the shares to work? I'm not positive but I thought I remember having problems with this when I was trying to setup a network printer in WinXP. I think the default is like WORKGROUP but sometimes people change them when they install Windows.

-Graham

[Serge]

Yes I believe you are correct. At least for my house we just use our last name and it works for 4 computers all with Window XP some home some pro.

Last time I tried to set-up a network I had the networking service turned off I doubt you will have this problem but it wouldn't hurt to check.

[Tammy]

Hi -

Try this link. It helped me set up my home network.

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/howto/net.asp

Off hand, it sounds to me as if you entered a different workgroup name for the laptop than the others are on. Any little typo would do it. This would explain being able to access the Internet but not being in the same network as the other machines. My problems were being able to see the other computers, but when I tried to access the files getting the "access denied" popup, but since you don't even get that your problem is much more basic.

Good luck with it!

Tammy

[y6y6y6]

No, I have the same workgroup names. I double checked that. I even left the workgroup and rejoined it.

And the Windows firewall is off.

I'm sure it's something simple, but for the life of me I can't figure it out.

Anyone know how I get the security tab to show up on tghe dialog I get when I right click on a folder. I suspect that's involved in the solution.

[DesignQueue]

I just set up a wireless network in my house this past week. My setup is pretty basic. Cable goes into the cable modem, cable modem goes into the wireless router, I have a desktop running WinXP hardwired into the router, and a laptop set up wireless. The two major problems that I encountered were making sure that each computer had the same workgroup name and that you either turn off any firewall programs or add the IPs of the other computers to be allowed through the firewall programs on each computer.

[johca]

I know the computer is on the network because it can get out to the Internet through the same hub the other computers are on. gaining internet access does not necessarily mean your laptop is fully connected to the network.

It would be nice to know if other computers on the network acknowledge seeing the laptop connected or the laptop can see the other computers, printers, and other devices on the network.

I can set up several computers to a router and have each access the internet while at the same time not be properly configured to network with each other.

[y6y6y6]

Right. The laptop can't see the other devices. And the other devices can't see the laptop. That's the problem.

[Tammy]

Make sure you are connected to your wireless network, and not someone else's. I have some neighbors whose signals I pick up and sometimes my wireless connects to them instead of mine.

I would go through and set up the network connection again from scratch. I've had to do that before. On the second or third try, I usually can get it all working right. Good luck.

[y6y6y6]

"Make sure you are connected to your wireless network, and not someone else's."

I actually had that problem, but it's not the cause of the current confusion. I turned off the wireless card and plugged the laptop into the same router the other computers are on.

"I would go through and set up the network connection again from scratch."

Yeah, I tried that. No love.

I've sort of given up. But that can't be the final solution. I'm currently transferring files between the laptop and the other computers via my USB keychain drive. which is stupid. I'm tempted to whip the hard drive and reinstall windows. But since I don't know what the problem is I'm hesitant to waste all that time.

[KLH]

Did you set up the computer to have a static IP address? If not, go ahead and set it up so it is just one number off whatever eveything else is. Also, like stated previously, make sure they are all have the same network name! This is a big MUST have thing. Also make sure your subnet numbers are all the same on the network.

You can also go into command prompt and type ipconfig on both computers to see if anything is totally different, like IP addresses starting with different numbers, or something.

[Dalfiuss]

Can you ping the other computers that you are trying to share with?

If you can't ping them, the problem is most likely within the router, and you might need to tweak things there.

If you can ping them the problem is software related, something is wrong with the security and sharing settings on the laptop. If all else fails and you can ping the other computers you could essentially set up an ftp server on one of the computers and connect to that from the laptop to transfer files, you will pretty much get the same speeds as with network shares, but will have to go through another step to get things transfered.

[Fuzzylogic]

Maybe you already answered this and I'm just a bit slow.

Are you using Windows XP Pro or Home edition?

[y6y6y6]

Windows XP Home. Should have mentioned that.

I'm using DHCP for IPs.

Stranglely I can ping from the laptop to the other computers, but not from the other computers to the laptop. And sure enough if I try mapping the share using the IP rather than the computer name I can map a drive and transfer files. But since that IP will change that's not the solution I like best. If I have to remap the drive everytime it would be easier to use the flash drive.

Thanks for the help. Still trying.

[VENCO]

You could of course set it to have the same IP everytime. Although I think it would still be ideal to have the network work as it normally should.

[KLH]

If you can ping a desktop PC, but they can't ping the laptop, it sounds like a firewall on the laptop is on. I know that I had zonealarm on my computer, and for the longest time I couldn't figure out why file and print sharing wasn't working, then I removed zone alarm, and it worked..
I live having static IPs always set up on all machines, it makes it easier to administrator on the network.

You can try chaing all the workgroup names on the network to a new name, and try again. I really think it is something simple that you are overlooking.

[y6y6y6]

"I really think it is something simple that you are overlooking."

You and me both buddy. Firewall, workgroup names, protocols...... Seems like a pretty short list.

I checked to make sure the WinXP firewall was off. Twice. Because it really does seem like that could be it. I'll check again.

Using static IPs wouldn't help, since I can't ping from the other machines.

Damn. It's got to be the damn firewall doesn't it?

Just you wait. After we get this squared away I'll go back to trying to configure my wireless media hub to draw files from my PVR. That will be fun.

[Dalfiuss]

does the laptop have the same name as one of the other computers on the network? I dont know if that would be causing what you are describing or not.

[y6y6y6]

Nope. They all have diiferent names. Good tip though.

And I triple checked the firewall. It's off. Damn it.

[intricate]

I need a monitor for my new comp.

[Fuzzylogic]

What did you say the workgroup name was set to?

You also said that you checked and made sure they all had file sharing turned on.

Also, try setting them to all use the same IP each time. Tell your router to assing IPs to them by their MAC address, see if that helps.

It SHOULDN'T make any difference, but sometimes it seems to help.


Did you say you were able to Map network drives?

[Fuzzylogic]

Oh, I almost forgot, did you check to make sure NetBios is enabled over TCP/IP?

[y6y6y6]

Yeah, I can map network drives. Just not from the other computers to the laptop. And from the laptop to the other computers only with the IP address.

No NetBios. I don't have that installed. But it's not installed on any of the other computers and they can find each other just fine.

[intricate]

You guys go to college to learn all this?

[Fuzzylogic]

Originally posted by y6y6y6
Yeah, I can map network drives. Just not from the other computers to the laptop. And from the laptop to the other computers only with the IP address.

No NetBios. I don't have that installed. But it's not installed on any of the other computers and they can find each other just fine.

Install it, see what happens :)

----

As for going to college, yeah, doing the college thing... but no it doesn't teach you anything about any of this.

Really it just sort of tosses things at you that you don't ACTUAL use in the computer world.

Well maybe if you are CS it does, but MIS is rather worthless at least so far as PC repair. I STILL have students in my senior level MIS courses who can't save to floppy....

[intricate]

CS, MIS, what does this all mean lol

[Fuzzylogic]

Originally posted by intricate
CS, MIS, what does this all mean lol

Computer Science and Management Information Systems.

[intricate]

You teach these courses?

[Fuzzylogic]

Originally posted by intricate
You teach these courses?

Well I used to teach computer courses, but I mean in the college courses I am in many of the students don't know how to FTP, use explorer or save to places other than the My Documents folder.

It is like a mechanic who can't drive a car!

[KLH]

I'm currently enrolled in a CCNA class (Cisco Certified Network Associate). I've gotten semester 1 of 4 done..

[intricate]

I plan to take some coures about computers in college. Maybe I will come back here in a couple years more fulfilled with knowledge of computers. :)

[Viper007Bond]

Most courses on computers end up treating you as if you've never touched a computer before. I can't stand them and ended up skipping them and learning the program in a day.

[KLH]

If your wanting a REAL computer class on networking, take a CCNA class. And if you think that is easy, take a CCNP class, and if somehow you think that is easy, take the CCIE class, and if you think that is easy, I know you are lying, since only 3,000 people in the world have the CCIE certificate.

In the first semester of the CCNA you learn binary, Hex, and Subnetting. The tests they give you are hard, and make sure you know what you are doing. If you think you "know it all" and what a few sample questions from the final, I do have it, and can give you some questions from it.

[Fuzzylogic]

Originally posted by KLH
If your wanting a REAL computer class on networking, take a CCNA class. And if you think that is easy, take a CCNP class, and if somehow you think that is easy, take the CCIE class, and if you think that is easy, I know you are lying, since only 3,000 people in the world have the CCIE certificate.

In the first semester of the CCNA you learn binary, Hex, and Subnetting. The tests they give you are hard, and make sure you know what you are doing. If you think you "know it all" and what a few sample questions from the final, I do have it, and can give you some questions from it.

Well then, what are you waiting for. Fix this guy's problem!

:)

[y6y6y6]

More tweaking.......

Even more odd - The other computers will list the laptop if I browse the workgroup under Network Neighborhood. But if I click the listing it says I don't have access. Normally I would expect it to give me a login dialog, yes?

But....... and here's the weird part...... If I try and ping the IP of the laptop from the desktop it doesn't respond. Even though it can see the laptop in the workgroup.

How would it know the computer is in the workgroup if it can't even ping it?

And the laptop can't see anything in the workgroup (even itself actually, that's odd) if I try and browse it.

Still sounds like a firewall issue. But that's turned off. Is there some other place to check the firewall settings other than under the local area connection properties?

[KLH]

Okay, if this doesn't work, then I don't know what will.

First, make sure ALL virus scan, firewalls, and anything else that might block anything (any norton, or mcafee products, shut them off).

Second, do you have a wireless network? If so, shut off the wireless network card on your laptop, and DO NOT allow it to connect. If you connect via a LAN and WLAN, you will have 2 IPs, and will make it harder.

Third, go into command prompt and type IPCONFIG on each computer. You will see an IP address, Subnet Address, and Default Gateway address.
The IP address should be something like 192.168.0.5
the Subnet Mask should be 225.225.225.0 <-- if it is different then this, post it because that may be the problem
The Default gateway may very, but it should be the same on each machine (maybe, it is on my network, since only one computer on the network will actually connect to the internet, and all internet is shared through that computer, thanks to dialup).
Also, ALL workgroup names MUST be the same.

Now go into "My Network Places" on your desktop, and click on the "View Workgroup Computers" button to the right.

You should see some computers, now double click on any of them. If it comes back with some kind of error not being able to connect, something is blocking you (firewall? It may be a hardware firewall on your router?)

Now to see if you can share any files on your computer, go back to the desktop, and go into my computer, click on the C drive, and find a folder that you wish to share (just use some stupid folder that you could care less if it is shared or not). Right click and click on "Sharing and Security." Now click the button that says "Share this folder on the network" and enter a name for it.

Now go to a desktop computer and try to view that folder. If you still can't view it, it might be a hardware firewall blocking it.

Let me know what all happens when you try all of this. I know you probably tried most of this before, but it never hurts to try it again. If you can't get it, post back with the errors or problems.

[y6y6y6]

Damn it. Everything works now. Thanks.

The problem is I have no idea what made it work. I ran through all the steps you gave, and was then able to see all the shares on the network. But then I switched everything back, and I could still see all the shares.

I didn't have "My Network Places" on my desktop, so I went back and enabled that. Then I turned off the AV. Then I turned off the wireless card (which I'd tried before so I don't think that was it). Then I clicked on the Network Places and all the shares showed up.

Then I went back and set everything back and the shares still show up.

Wait...... just a sec.......

Damn.... Found it..... Norton Firewall couln't find the home network. As soon as I added it manually everything worked. So it was a firewall issue. Strange, since Norton has always had no trouble finding my home network.

Thanks KLH. I owe you a beer.

[KLH]

Originally posted by y6y6y6


Thanks KLH. I owe you a beer.

How about a monitor ? ;)

[y6y6y6]

"How about a monitor ?"

Sure. Fair enough. I have one sitting under my desk you can have. Sometimes it works for more than a couple minutes. Send over $60 for packing & shipping and it's yours.

[KLH]

I was thinking more along the lines of a flat panel LCD monitor..

[Fuzzylogic]

Originally posted by KLH
I was thinking more along the lines of a flat panel LCD monitor..

Well then you may need to add a 0 to that $60 you have to send him :)