Home Networking Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cathie
  • Start date Start date
C

Cathie

Hello,

I have two computers running Windows XP. They are each
plugged into the same hub which is plugged into the ADSL
modem. I can access the internet from each computer. I
can ping by IP address however my home networking will
not work. I have ran the home networking wizard several
times on each computer. I have disabled the XP
firewall. I have enabled file and print sharing. Ny
network connections show a LAN which I believe is the
internet connection. My network places is blank. Any
suggestions? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Cathie
 
I am having similar problem with home edition on a
business network, computers can see my system but I cant
see them, I can ping them and get on internet via local
dsl router! pulling my hair out over xp. I like 2K
better so far but dell laptop has a video card that only
has drivers for xp and not 2K.

thanks,
 
Cathie,

Are the computers in the same workgroup? Try running the
Network Setup Wizard on each computer, and name the same
workgroup for both. The Wizard can be found in My
Network Places under "Set up a Home or Small-Business
Network".
 
This is usually the culprit (not having the machines in the same workgroup).
You can also access this setting by Start/<Right Click> My
Computer/Properteries. Under the "Computer Name" tab, it will show you the
domain or workgroup name your systems are configured with.

Pat
 
"Cathie" said:
Hello,

I have two computers running Windows XP. They are each
plugged into the same hub which is plugged into the ADSL
modem. I can access the internet from each computer. I
can ping by IP address however my home networking will
not work. I have ran the home networking wizard several
times on each computer. I have disabled the XP
firewall. I have enabled file and print sharing. Ny
network connections show a LAN which I believe is the
internet connection. My network places is blank. Any
suggestions? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Cathie
Click to expand...

Other people have said to put the computers in the same workgroup,
which is a good idea and can make networking a little easier.
However, it might not solve the problem. Windows XP can access
multiple workgroups, and shared resources on all of the computers in
all of the workgroups should appear in My Network Places. To see all
of the workgroups on a network, click "View workgroup computers" and
then press the Backspace key. It can take up to 15 minutes for
computers and their shares to appear in My Network Places after the
computers start up.

The answer that follows applies to computers that connect to a cable
modem or DSL modem through a hub or switch. It doesn't apply if they
connect through a broadband router.

Your network setup is described in the Windows XP Help and Support
program. Click Start | Help and Support, search for the topic
"Network configurations overview", and look at the section labeled
"Individual Internet connections".

The solution given there is to install the IPX/SPX protocol for file
sharing and to disable file sharing on TCP/IP. I've written a web
page showing how to do it:

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

There are two reasons to use IPX/SPX instead of TCP/IP for file
sharing:

1. If your DSL provider assigns IP addresses in different subnets to
your computers, it isn't possible for them to communicate with each
other using TCP/IP.

2. Since your computers connect directly to the Internet through the
DSL modem, they receive public IP addresses that are accessible by
everyone on the Internet. Using TCP/IP for file sharing could let
other people access your shared files.

Another alternative would be to remove the hub or switch, get a
broadband router, connect the cable modem to its WAN port, and connect
the computers to its LAN ports. In that case:

1. You'd only need to get one IP address from your DSL modem provider,
which would save you money if your ISP charges a monthly fee for more
than one IP address.

2. The broadband router would assign private IP addresses to your
computers. Private IP addresses aren't accessible by other Internet
users, so your network would be safe.

3. You could use TCP/IP as the only network protocol, with no need for
IPX/SPX.
--
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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