Can't find one computer of the two on my network

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steve Burress
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Steve Burress

I have set up a two computer network with both machines
running Windows XP Professional. Everyone I have
contacted in support centers say I have configured
everything correctly. For simplicity I'll call the
computers A, and B. From computer A I can see computer B
with no problem. I can access shared folders, and
printers. All is well in that direction. The problem I
run into is trying to access files on computer A from
computer B. When I go to my network places on computer B
there are no computers showing. Both computers obviously
have the same workgroup, and different names. They each
have static IP addresses, and I can ping both machines
from the other machine. My only problem is not being
able to see both machines on the network. What could be
wrong?
 
It could be a firewall problem but at same time you
should be able to see both PCs in network places. Sorry
do not really know.
 
-----Original Message-----
I have set up a two computer network with both machines
running Windows XP Professional. Everyone I have
contacted in support centers say I have configured
everything correctly. For simplicity I'll call the
computers A, and B. From computer A I can see computer B
with no problem. I can access shared folders, and
printers. All is well in that direction. The problem I
run into is trying to access files on computer A from
computer B. When I go to my network places on computer B
there are no computers showing. Both computers obviously
have the same workgroup, and different names. They each
have static IP addresses, and I can ping both machines
from the other machine. My only problem is not being
able to see both machines on the network. What could be
wrong?
.
Click to expand...

I think your problem is that one or more of your
computers still has the M/S firewall enabled. I had the
same problem, and both of my machines are connected
through a router, with its own firewall, so I disabled
the firewalls, restarted the Computer Browser (on each
machine), and then bth machines could see each other (it
was a security-type prohibition.
1. Select Control Panel>Network and Internet
Connections>Network Connections
2. Right click on the connection icon that's your LAN
connection (usually Local Area Connection)
3. Select Properties, then the Advanced tab.
4. On the Advanced tab, unselect "Protect My Computer..."
under "Internet Connection Firewall.
5. On all of your machines restart the Computer Browser:
a. Right click your My Computer desktop icon.
b. Select "Manage", then expand "Services" under
"Services and Applications"
c. Find and select the "Computer Browser" service.
d. Restart the service: a little pop-up progress
bar will tell you "stopping..." and then
"restarting..."
6. Now, when you "find computers" you should be able to
find each computer on each other computer - and you
should find workgroup computers, etc...

NOTE: Every time you re-run the Network Setup Wizard,
it's going to enable your firewall. Then you have to redo
what I've listed above...

Good Luck,
Dave M.
 
"Dave Mason" said:
NOTE: Every time you re-run the Network Setup Wizard,
it's going to enable your firewall. Then you have to redo
what I've listed above...
Click to expand...

The Wizard only enables the firewall if you tell it that your computer
connects to the Internet directly or through a network hub. Those
direct connections need firewall protection to prevent other Internet
users from accessing your computer.

It doesn't enable the firewall if you tell it that your computer
connects to the Internet through another computer (ICS host) or a
residential gateway (broadband router). Those indirect connections
don't need firewall protection, because the ICS host or broadband
router already acts as a firewall.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
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