Urgent Help Please ! Setting up network

[steve]

Hello all,

Ater 2 days of trying to set up my network, I am hoping I can find
some advice here !

My network USED to work fine but due to a virus I had to reformat &
reinstall Windows XP Pro + SP3 on both desktops.

I have 4 computers...
1) Desktop connected via Ethernet cable ONLY to a ASDL Wireless Router
2) Desktop via a Gigabyte USB dongle
3) Laptop running Windows XP Home
4) Laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium

Firstly I must say that ALL 4 computers can connect to the Internet
with NO PROBLEMS .. so the router is fine !

It is setting up a network so I can share drives/printers that is the
problem !
I have tried running both the "Network Connection Wizard" AND the
"Wireless Network Setup Wizard" with no joy !

I am not sure which one of the two to use to be honest and even on
which machine .. although I think I have covered most combinations :-(
I have used the name "HOME" for my network (default was MSHOME")
I also have checked that 'Windows Firewal'l is OFF after installation
too.

After each try I have opened Windows Explorer and clicked on "My
Network Places" .... and there is NOTHING there !!!!

Can anyone help ? or is it a case of reinstalling XP again on both
computers ?
Please be as detailed as possible for me if you can.

P.S. I haven't even tried setting up the the laptops to a network yet.

Please, please help !

Regards,
Steve

 

[TompangBuddy.Com]

Hello,

You need to configure your firewall in each individual computer to whitelist
all connections (or just specifically the sharing traffic) from other
computers in the network. On how to do this, if you can state your firewall
software, I may be able to find some resources for you.

___________
http://www.tompangbuddy.com
Share Cab, Carpool and Save Earth in Singapore
http://www.bootstrike.com/VHSVideoConvert/
Video Conversion Service VHS Video8 Hi8 miniDv Digital8 VHS-C S-VHS tapes to
VCD/DVD

 

[John John - MVP]

Your firewalls may be blocking things or this might just a simple
NetBIOS name resolution thing. For the time being disconnect from the
internet and disable the firewall on all your machines and try your test
again, if you can see your machines then your problem is that the
firewalls are not properly configured. If you still can't see the
computers try pinging them by IP address, if you can ping to IP address
then this is probably a NetBIOS thing, at the Command Prompt issue the
Net View command and see what it reports.

Oh, and make sure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled and that the
Server service is running...

John

 

[Bob Lucas]

In addition to configuring your firewall, try running the
"Network Connection Wizard" again - on all computers.

The wired and wireless connections via the Router appear to be
OK, because you are able to connect to the Internet via the
router. However, I would still check the Router configuration,
because you might need to enable UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) on
the router. If in doubt, read the Router manual.

Then, turn on all computers and make sure that each one is
connected to the Router (via a wired or wireless connection).

1. Open "My Computer" on each computer and click on "View
System Information. Select the "Computer Name" tab.
2. Make sure that all of your computers are using the same
"Workgroup" name (you have chosen "HOME" - which should be OK).
3. Also, write down the FULL Computer name for the host
computer (i.e. the one with the printer connection). You will
require this name later.
4. Then, open "My Network Places" on the each computer and
under Tasks, click on "View Workgroup Computers. This should
generate a list, showing the names of all four computers.

If the "View Workgroup Computers" listing does contain the names
of all your computers, then you have created a network - and it
should work OK. If the listing is incomplete, then there is a
problem - and you will need to identify the cause, before you can
install a network printer or use file sharing.

The following steps assume that the "View Workgroup Computers"
listing does contain the names of all your computers.

By default, the "Network Connection Wizard" should have enabled
access to the "SharedDocs" folder on each computer. If required,
you could enable file sharing of any additional folders that you
require.

You should also be able to enable access to a networked printer
from each computer in your network. (I have assumed that your
printer is connected to the desktop computer which has a wired
connection to the Router.)

To install a network printer:

5. Open Control Panel on the host computer and select
"Printers & Scanners". Select the name of the printer and click
on "Set Printer Properties".
6. Click on the "Sharing" tab and if necessary, enable
sharing. Then, make a written record of the "Printer Share Name"
(you will require this name later).
7. Next, you must install the network printer onto each of
your other computers. It should be easy to share the printer
with your XP computers. However, you might experience driver
problems with the Vista laptop.
8. Open Control Panel on one of the network computers and
select "Printers & Scanners". Click on "Add a printer" and run
the wizard.
9. Select "Network Computer". The wizard will offer three
options
10. As a first step, I would try the second option. Enter the
printer name as "\\[FULL computer name of the host
computer]\[Printer share Name" - without the quotation marks.
(You should already have a written note of both values.)
11. Continue to install the printer. The wizard should
download drivers from the host computer. If that doesn't work,
you could try the "Browse for Printer" option.
12. Repeat the procedure with the next Win XP computer.

I have no experience of installing a printer on a mixed XP /
Vista network. However, you could try the following procedure,
which did work in similar circumstances, when I added a Windows
ME machine to a Win XP network.

13. Connect the printer physically to the Vista machine. Use
the installation disks to install the necessary Vista drivers on
the Vista computer.
14. Then, disconnect the printer from the Vista machine and
re-connect it to its permanent host on the XP machine.
15. Re-install it on the Vista machine as a network printer
(the procedure will probably be similar to steps 8 -11).

 

[nass]

Hello all,

Ater 2 days of trying to set up my network, I am hoping I can find
some advice here !

My network USED to work fine but due to a virus I had to reformat &
reinstall Windows XP Pro + SP3 on both desktops.

I have 4 computers...
1) Desktop connected via Ethernet cable ONLY to a ASDL Wireless Router
2) Desktop via a Gigabyte USB dongle
3) Laptop running Windows XP Home
4) Laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium

Firstly I must say that ALL 4 computers can connect to the Internet
with NO PROBLEMS .. so the router is fine !

It is setting up a network so I can share drives/printers that is the
problem !
I have tried running both the "Network Connection Wizard" AND the
"Wireless Network Setup Wizard" with no joy !

I am not sure which one of the two to use to be honest and even on
which machine .. although I think I have covered most combinations :-(
I have used the name "HOME" for my network (default was MSHOME")
I also have checked that 'Windows Firewal'l is OFF after installation
too.

After each try I have opened Windows Explorer and clicked on "My
Network Places" .... and there is NOTHING there !!!!

Can anyone help ? or is it a case of reinstalling XP again on both
computers ?
Please be as detailed as possible for me if you can.

P.S. I haven't even tried setting up the the laptops to a network yet.

Please, please help !

Regards,
Steve

Hi Steve,
Make sure your Firewall (On All Machines) allow the network, and also you
can configure your Network even no internet connction is present. This can be
therough the router, but still it depend on the router Capabilities .

Here are some info can help.
Enable File and printer sharing and also create the shares you want to share.
Set up your computer for home networking
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/homenet.mspx

Sharing files
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/maintain/share.mspx

For Vista: Step 3: Turn on Network discovery and file sharing
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c00815942

Free simple file and print sharing steps for network.
http://www.homenetworkhelp.info/index.php?pg=podcast-2006-05-15

HTH,
nass

 

[steve]

Hi Bob (and the other 3 guys too !),

Thanks for your help it is really appreciated !
By following your steps below Bob, I found all was well all the way
down to Step 4 on all of the computers.

It is at this point I realised that although I AM connected to the
network and all computers are shown, my problem seems to be with
'Windows Explorer' itself for some reason.

When I had the nework set up before, clicking on "My Network Places"
in the Windows Explorer tree would then show - firstly "My Entire
Network" with 3 sub divisions of "Microsoft Terminal Services", "Web
Client Network" and of course the most important one "Microsoft
Windows Network".

Then when I clicked on "Microsoft Windows Network" and then "Home" it
would reveal the 2, 3 or 4 computers that were turned on and I then
could access the files that I enabled on each computer to be shared !

Now when I click on "Microsoft Windows Network" it is just BLANK !

The only way I can get it to seethe network is by 'right clicking' on
it then using the "Explore" function.. then they all appear as if by
magic !!!!!
This happens on ALL the computers by the way not just the 2 desktops
that I have re-installed XP on !

Can you tell me how I may restore Windows Explorer to open them
automatically as it did before ?

Thanks,
Steve

P.S.
There is a 'Shared Documents' folder.
Although I know now it is NOT the firewalls, just for reference, the 2
desktops use ZoneAlarm, the HP laptop uses Norton Internet Security
and my Sony laptop uses McAfee Total Security ... quite a mix !

In addition to configuring your firewall, try running the
"Network Connection Wizard" again - on all computers.

The wired and wireless connections via the Router appear to be
OK, because you are able to connect to the Internet via the
router. However, I would still check the Router configuration,
because you might need to enable UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) on
the router. If in doubt, read the Router manual.

Then, turn on all computers and make sure that each one is
connected to the Router (via a wired or wireless connection).

1. Open "My Computer" on each computer and click on "View
System Information. Select the "Computer Name" tab.
2. Make sure that all of your computers are using the same
"Workgroup" name (you have chosen "HOME" - which should be OK).
3. Also, write down the FULL Computer name for the host
computer (i.e. the one with the printer connection). You will
require this name later.
4. Then, open "My Network Places" on the each computer and
under Tasks, click on "View Workgroup Computers. This should
generate a list, showing the names of all four computers.

If the "View Workgroup Computers" listing does contain the names
of all your computers, then you have created a network - and it
should work OK. If the listing is incomplete, then there is a
problem - and you will need to identify the cause, before you can
install a network printer or use file sharing.

The following steps assume that the "View Workgroup Computers"
listing does contain the names of all your computers.

By default, the "Network Connection Wizard" should have enabled
access to the "SharedDocs" folder on each computer. If required,
you could enable file sharing of any additional folders that you
require.

You should also be able to enable access to a networked printer
from each computer in your network. (I have assumed that your
printer is connected to the desktop computer which has a wired
connection to the Router.)

To install a network printer:

5. Open Control Panel on the host computer and select
"Printers & Scanners". Select the name of the printer and click
on "Set Printer Properties".
6. Click on the "Sharing" tab and if necessary, enable
sharing. Then, make a written record of the "Printer Share Name"
(you will require this name later).
7. Next, you must install the network printer onto each of
your other computers. It should be easy to share the printer
with your XP computers. However, you might experience driver
problems with the Vista laptop.
8. Open Control Panel on one of the network computers and
select "Printers & Scanners". Click on "Add a printer" and run
the wizard.
9. Select "Network Computer". The wizard will offer three
options
10. As a first step, I would try the second option. Enter the
printer name as "\\[FULL computer name of the host
computer]\[Printer share Name" - without the quotation marks.
(You should already have a written note of both values.)
11. Continue to install the printer. The wizard should
download drivers from the host computer. If that doesn't work,
you could try the "Browse for Printer" option.
12. Repeat the procedure with the next Win XP computer.

I have no experience of installing a printer on a mixed XP /
Vista network. However, you could try the following procedure,
which did work in similar circumstances, when I added a Windows
ME machine to a Win XP network.

13. Connect the printer physically to the Vista machine. Use
the installation disks to install the necessary Vista drivers on
the Vista computer.
14. Then, disconnect the printer from the Vista machine and
re-connect it to its permanent host on the XP machine.
15. Re-install it on the Vista machine as a network printer
(the procedure will probably be similar to steps 8 -11).

Hello,

You need to configure your firewall in each individual computer
to whitelist all connections (or just specifically the sharing
traffic) from other computers in the network. On how to do
this, if you can state your firewall software, I may be able to
find some resources for you.

___________
http://www.tompangbuddy.com
Share Cab, Carpool and Save Earth in Singapore
http://www.bootstrike.com/VHSVideoConvert/
Video Conversion Service VHS Video8 Hi8 miniDv Digital8 VHS-C
S-VHS tapes to VCD/DVD

 

[Bob Lucas]

Hi Steve

I really don't know why the list of shared folders does not
appear in "My Network Places". (The complete list is visible on
my WinXP network computers). Maybe one of the other contributors
can advise.

Otherwise, you could try the following.

a. Turn on all of the network computers.
b. On each one, open Windows Explorer and navigate to "My
Network Places".
c. You may need to click on the "Folders" icon (at the top of
the Explorer window), to hide the Folders list and reveal the
Network Tasks list on the left hand side of the page.
d. Then, click on the "Add a Network Place" option and run the
wizard. Tab through to the third page (labelled "What is the
address of this Network Place?").
e. You could try browsing for available Network Places.
Otherwise, you may need to enter the share name of each network
computer (in the format \\ComputerName\ ). Then, browse for the
folders you want to appear in "My Network Places". Repeat the
process on each computer, until all of the shared folders have
been added.

There is an additional option you could consider. Use the "Map a
Network Drive" function (in My Computer/Tools), to allocate drive
letters to individual folder(s) on the other network computers.
Then, the mapped folder(s) will appear individually in Windows
Explorer - without the need to navigate through "My Network
Places".

To obtain procedural instructions, open the WinXP Help & Support
Center on your computer - and search for "Assign a drive letter
to a network computer or folder".

Hi Bob (and the other 3 guys too !),

Thanks for your help it is really appreciated !
By following your steps below Bob, I found all was well all the
way
down to Step 4 on all of the computers.

It is at this point I realised that although I AM connected to
the
network and all computers are shown, my problem seems to be
with
'Windows Explorer' itself for some reason.

When I had the nework set up before, clicking on "My Network
Places"
in the Windows Explorer tree would then show - firstly "My
Entire
Network" with 3 sub divisions of "Microsoft Terminal Services",
"Web
Client Network" and of course the most important one "Microsoft
Windows Network".

Then when I clicked on "Microsoft Windows Network" and then
"Home" it
would reveal the 2, 3 or 4 computers that were turned on and I
then
could access the files that I enabled on each computer to be
shared !

Now when I click on "Microsoft Windows Network" it is just
BLANK !

The only way I can get it to seethe network is by 'right
clicking' on
it then using the "Explore" function.. then they all appear as
if by
magic !!!!!
This happens on ALL the computers by the way not just the 2
desktops
that I have re-installed XP on !

Can you tell me how I may restore Windows Explorer to open them
automatically as it did before ?

Thanks,
Steve

P.S.
There is a 'Shared Documents' folder.
Although I know now it is NOT the firewalls, just for
reference, the 2
desktops use ZoneAlarm, the HP laptop uses Norton Internet
Security
and my Sony laptop uses McAfee Total Security ... quite a mix !

In addition to configuring your firewall, try running the
"Network Connection Wizard" again - on all computers.

The wired and wireless connections via the Router appear to be
OK, because you are able to connect to the Internet via the
router. However, I would still check the Router configuration,
because you might need to enable UPnP (Universal Plug & Play)
on
the router. If in doubt, read the Router manual.

Then, turn on all computers and make sure that each one is
connected to the Router (via a wired or wireless connection).

1. Open "My Computer" on each computer and click on "View
System Information. Select the "Computer Name" tab.
2. Make sure that all of your computers are using the same
"Workgroup" name (you have chosen "HOME" - which should be
OK).
3. Also, write down the FULL Computer name for the host
computer (i.e. the one with the printer connection). You will
require this name later.
4. Then, open "My Network Places" on the each computer and
under Tasks, click on "View Workgroup Computers. This should
generate a list, showing the names of all four computers.

If the "View Workgroup Computers" listing does contain the
names
of all your computers, then you have created a network - and it
should work OK. If the listing is incomplete, then there is a
problem - and you will need to identify the cause, before you
can
install a network printer or use file sharing.

The following steps assume that the "View Workgroup Computers"
listing does contain the names of all your computers.

By default, the "Network Connection Wizard" should have enabled
access to the "SharedDocs" folder on each computer. If
required,
you could enable file sharing of any additional folders that
you
require.

You should also be able to enable access to a networked printer
from each computer in your network. (I have assumed that your
printer is connected to the desktop computer which has a wired
connection to the Router.)

To install a network printer:

5. Open Control Panel on the host computer and select
"Printers & Scanners". Select the name of the printer and
click
on "Set Printer Properties".
6. Click on the "Sharing" tab and if necessary, enable
sharing. Then, make a written record of the "Printer Share
Name"
(you will require this name later).
7. Next, you must install the network printer onto each of
your other computers. It should be easy to share the printer
with your XP computers. However, you might experience driver
problems with the Vista laptop.
8. Open Control Panel on one of the network computers and
select "Printers & Scanners". Click on "Add a printer" and run
the wizard.
9. Select "Network Computer". The wizard will offer three
options
10. As a first step, I would try the second option. Enter
the
printer name as "\\[FULL computer name of the host
computer]\[Printer share Name" - without the quotation marks.
(You should already have a written note of both values.)
11. Continue to install the printer. The wizard should
download drivers from the host computer. If that doesn't work,
you could try the "Browse for Printer" option.
12. Repeat the procedure with the next Win XP computer.

I have no experience of installing a printer on a mixed XP /
Vista network. However, you could try the following procedure,
which did work in similar circumstances, when I added a Windows
ME machine to a Win XP network.

13. Connect the printer physically to the Vista machine.
Use
the installation disks to install the necessary Vista drivers
on
the Vista computer.
14. Then, disconnect the printer from the Vista machine and
re-connect it to its permanent host on the XP machine.
15. Re-install it on the Vista machine as a network printer
(the procedure will probably be similar to steps 8 -11).

Hello,

You need to configure your firewall in each individual
computer
to whitelist all connections (or just specifically the
sharing
traffic) from other computers in the network. On how to do
this, if you can state your firewall software, I may be able
to
find some resources for you.

___________
http://www.tompangbuddy.com
Share Cab, Carpool and Save Earth in Singapore
http://www.bootstrike.com/VHSVideoConvert/
Video Conversion Service VHS Video8 Hi8 miniDv Digital8 VHS-C
S-VHS tapes to VCD/DVD
Hello all,

Ater 2 days of trying to set up my network, I am hoping I
can
find
some advice here !

My network USED to work fine but due to a virus I had to
reformat &
reinstall Windows XP Pro + SP3 on both desktops.

I have 4 computers...
1) Desktop connected via Ethernet cable ONLY to a ASDL
Wireless Router
2) Desktop via a Gigabyte USB dongle
3) Laptop running Windows XP Home
4) Laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium

Firstly I must say that ALL 4 computers can connect to the
Internet
with NO PROBLEMS .. so the router is fine !

It is setting up a network so I can share drives/printers
that
is the
problem !
I have tried running both the "Network Connection Wizard"
AND
the
"Wireless Network Setup Wizard" with no joy !

I am not sure which one of the two to use to be honest and
even on
which machine .. although I think I have covered most
combinations :-(
I have used the name "HOME" for my network (default was
MSHOME")
I also have checked that 'Windows Firewal'l is OFF after
installation
too.

After each try I have opened Windows Explorer and clicked on
"My
Network Places" .... and there is NOTHING there !!!!

Can anyone help ? or is it a case of reinstalling XP again
on
both
computers ?
Please be as detailed as possible for me if you can.

P.S. I haven't even tried setting up the the laptops to a
network yet.

Please, please help !

Regards,
Steve

 

[nass]

Adding to "Bob", this can happen if all the computer assigned as Master
Browser. Also if they have the same Name or have the same IP.

Click Start >> Run >> Type in:
services.msc click [OK]

Locate these service:

Computer Browser

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service

Ensure that these are running and on "Automatic" (on all machines)

Again, you can re-run the network wizard and this time chose the right
configurations/settings.

PS. what happen if you assigned Static IPs?

HTH,
nass

 

[steve]

Hi Nass,

I have just checked 'services.msc' as you said on all 4 computers and
both the settings are on Automatic on all of them !

I now find that I can only access files on the HP laptoponly if I
turn OFF the Firewall on Norton Internet Security.
If it is turned on, it sees the computer name but won't allow any
access to folders/files.
It will allow exceptions etc, but I don't know how to set it up ...
ZoneAlarm seems to cope with all this automatically !

I have run the 'Network Wizard' again but everything is still the same
I'm afraid.

Just for reference, on the desktop that is connected via the cable to
my ASDL Router.
This is a combined Wireless plus 4-port wired sockets and is connected
to my telephone line by a cable.
I have used the setting :
"This computer links to the Internet directlyor through a network hub.
Other computers on my network also connect to the Internet directly or
through a hub"

I am unsure if this is the correct one though ?
Or should it be :
"This computer connects directly to the Internet. etc."
Or :
This computer connects to th einternet through a residential gateway
or through another computer on my network".

These defininitions and examles don't EXACTLY match my situation.

The other 3 computers all connect wirelessly to my ADSL Routerand once
again I am totall unsure which definition I should use for those...
some guidance here would be useful for me !

I am not sure what you mean by "Static IPs" ? or how to implenet it !

I am 99% certain that the IP adress my router uses with my ISP is
static anyway.. if that is waht you mean.

Once again any help is appreciated.
What puzzles me is that when I initially set all this up a couple os
years ago (admitedly it was with SP2 and not SP3) it was SO, SO easy !
This is a real nightmare now for me !

Thanks for any help you may give and I will report back what happens !

Regards,
Steve

 

[nass]

Hi Steve,

You need to allow the shares in the Norton Firewall and also assign the IPs
to be trusted.

What I mean by static IPs is: assign the fours Pcs/Laptops a static IPs not
an Auto dished out by the DHCP which acted by your Router.

Note you need to configure the NICs for the Laptops and PCs with the static
IPs and Masks.
your default Gateway will be the Router IP. And your selection will be for
the wizard:
This computer connects to th einternet through a residential gateway
or through another computer on my network".

I will make this clear abit! On the Router assign Static IPs, say yyour
Router IP will be 192.168.2.1 with mask: 255.255.255.0
Try to configure the other PCs/Laps as follow:
Desktop 1 assigned IP address:
IP: 192.168.2.2
With Mask: 255.255.255.0

Desktop 2 assigned IP:
IP: 192.168.2.3
With Mask: 255.255.255.0
Laptop A assigned IP address: 192.168.2.4
With Mask: 255.255.255.0

Laptop B assigned IP address : 192.168.2.5
With Maks: 255.255.255.0

Now try to allow these IPs to be trusted in the firewall Rules.

Make sure the shares Password protected.

http://www.leeindy.com/firewall_nis-3.shtml

http://www.symantec.com/norton/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20080612122623EN

Configuring Norton Personal Firewall
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/extender/setup/firewall/norton.mspx

HTH,
nass
---
http://www.nasstec.co.uk

Hi Nass,

I have just checked 'services.msc' as you said on all 4 computers and
both the settings are on Automatic on all of them !

I now find that I can only access files on the HP laptoponly if I
turn OFF the Firewall on Norton Internet Security.
If it is turned on, it sees the computer name but won't allow any
access to folders/files.
It will allow exceptions etc, but I don't know how to set it up ...
ZoneAlarm seems to cope with all this automatically !

I have run the 'Network Wizard' again but everything is still the same
I'm afraid.

Just for reference, on the desktop that is connected via the cable to
my ASDL Router.
This is a combined Wireless plus 4-port wired sockets and is connected
to my telephone line by a cable.
I have used the setting :
"This computer links to the Internet directlyor through a network hub.
Other computers on my network also connect to the Internet directly or
through a hub"

I am unsure if this is the correct one though ?
Or should it be :
"This computer connects directly to the Internet. etc."
Or :
This computer connects to th einternet through a residential gateway
or through another computer on my network".

These defininitions and examles don't EXACTLY match my situation.

The other 3 computers all connect wirelessly to my ADSL Routerand once
again I am totall unsure which definition I should use for those...
some guidance here would be useful for me !

I am not sure what you mean by "Static IPs" ? or how to implenet it !

I am 99% certain that the IP adress my router uses with my ISP is
static anyway.. if that is waht you mean.

Once again any help is appreciated.
What puzzles me is that when I initially set all this up a couple os
years ago (admitedly it was with SP2 and not SP3) it was SO, SO easy !
This is a real nightmare now for me !

Thanks for any help you may give and I will report back what happens !

Regards,
Steve

Adding to "Bob", this can happen if all the computer assigned as Master
Browser. Also if they have the same Name or have the same IP.

Click Start >> Run >> Type in:
services.msc click [OK]

Locate these service:

Computer Browser

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service

Ensure that these are running and on "Automatic" (on all machines)

Again, you can re-run the network wizard and this time chose the right
configurations/settings.

PS. what happen if you assigned Static IPs?

HTH,
nass

 

[Bob Lucas]

I'll try to deal with several of the points you raised. Let me
deal firstly with the IP addresses.

Switch on all of the computers. Then, use each computer in turn
and click on Start / Run and type cmd - to open a command prompt.

At the command prompt, type "ipconfig /all" (without the
quotation marks - and make sure you include the space between
"ipconfig" and "/all") - followed by Return. This will generate
a lot of useful information.

Make a note of the IP address that has been allocated to each
computer. The actual format of the IP addresses will depend upon
the make and model of your router. However, the addresses will
probably take the form 192.168.1.x or 192.168.11.x (where x is a
sequential number that your router has allocated to each
computer). Also, make a note of the IP address for the DHCP
server.

As you say, Zone Alarm seems to cope well with local networks.
If you inspect the Firewall / Zones menu in Zone Alarm, you
should find that every IP addresss which relates to a networked
computer (plus the address of the DHCP server) is in the Trusted
zone.

The Network wizard configures the Windows Firewall. However, you
are using a mix of Zone Alarm, Norton and McAfee firewalls, so
Windows firewall should be switched off on each computer.

I wouldn't touch Norton with the proverbial bargepole - so when I
purchased a new HP laptop, I removed all traces of Norton and
installed the free versions of Zone Alarm Firewall and Avast
antivirus. Consequently, I can't advise you how to configure the
Norton firewall. However, you will need to discover how to
designate the IP addresses for all of your local computers as
"Trusted". For instance, you might need to enable networking to
cover the entire range of IP addresses between 192.168.xx.1 and
192.168.xx.5.

Incidentally, you are dealing with two different types of IP
address. Your router will allocate a unique (local) IP address
to each computer on your network. Your router will also have
its own unique address. (Incidentally, individual machines may
receive a different sequential address for each session
(depending upon the order in which the computers were switched
on). However, these local IP addresses will always be in the
format 192.168.xx.x or similar.

Then, your Internet Service Provider will allocate a unique IP
address to your ADSL connection. A static IP address (where your
ISP always allocates the same IP address to your line) is a
possibility. However, ISPs in the UK are more likely to allocate
a different (dynamic) IP address, each time you switch on your
router and establish a connection to the internet. I don't think
that has any bearing whatsoever on your network problems.

With regard to your Internet connection settings, your router is
a "residential gateway". Consequently, I would use "This
computer connects to the internet through a residential gateway
or through another computer on my network". Try that setting for
every computer, including the one which is hard wired to your
router.

Hi Nass,

I have just checked 'services.msc' as you said on all 4
computers and
both the settings are on Automatic on all of them !

I now find that I can only access files on the HP laptoponly
if I
turn OFF the Firewall on Norton Internet Security.
If it is turned on, it sees the computer name but won't allow
any
access to folders/files.
It will allow exceptions etc, but I don't know how to set it up
...
ZoneAlarm seems to cope with all this automatically !

I have run the 'Network Wizard' again but everything is still
the same
I'm afraid.

Just for reference, on the desktop that is connected via the
cable to
my ASDL Router.
This is a combined Wireless plus 4-port wired sockets and is
connected
to my telephone line by a cable.
I have used the setting :
"This computer links to the Internet directlyor through a
network hub.
Other computers on my network also connect to the Internet
directly or
through a hub"

I am unsure if this is the correct one though ?
Or should it be :
"This computer connects directly to the Internet. etc."
Or :
This computer connects to th einternet through a residential
gateway
or through another computer on my network".

These defininitions and examles don't EXACTLY match my
situation.

The other 3 computers all connect wirelessly to my ADSL
Routerand once
again I am totall unsure which definition I should use for
those...
some guidance here would be useful for me !

I am not sure what you mean by "Static IPs" ? or how to
implenet it !

I am 99% certain that the IP adress my router uses with my ISP
is
static anyway.. if that is waht you mean.

Once again any help is appreciated.
What puzzles me is that when I initially set all this up a
couple os
years ago (admitedly it was with SP2 and not SP3) it was SO, SO
easy !
This is a real nightmare now for me !

Thanks for any help you may give and I will report back what
happens !

Regards,
Steve

Adding to "Bob", this can happen if all the computer assigned
as Master
Browser. Also if they have the same Name or have the same IP.

Click Start >> Run >> Type in:
services.msc click [OK]

Locate these service:

Computer Browser

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service

Ensure that these are running and on "Automatic" (on all
machines)

Again, you can re-run the network wizard and this time chose
the right
configurations/settings.

PS. what happen if you assigned Static IPs?

HTH,
nass

 

[db]

the first thing to do
is to disable all the
a.v.'s and firewalls.

this allows you to
bypass any hurdles.

after you get them
all connected and
working, then you
can begin enabling
and configuring the
av's and firewalls.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @hotmail.com
"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~