Workgroup Networking Issues with 2 XP MCE

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I've been having a devil of a time getting my two XP MCE computers (1 HP, 1
Dell) to fully acess each other's files. I've scoured the MS newsgroups for
solutions but can't figure out what the issue is.

They are both connected by ethernet to a Netgear wireless hub. I can ping HP
from Dell by name and vice-versa. Both show up in View Workgroup Computers.
File and Printer Sharing are both enabled. Hard drives and folders are set
for Sharing. Both Admin accounts are under the same username and pword. Guest
accounts are enabled.

I was able to access and map HP network drives on Dell, but not vice versa.
When I try to add HP manually through Add a Network Place, I am asked for a
password to the guest account, but username is not changeable to login with a
different account.

I searched and tried this solution:

Guest Password Requirement - Steve Winograd [MVP]

23-Jul-07 12:04:05

On PC#2:

1. Type this line at a command prompt to enable the Guest account for
networked access:

net user guest /active:yes

2. Remove any network password from the Guest account:

a. Click Start > Run.
b. Type "control userpasswords2" in the box and click OK.
c. Click Guest.
d. Click Reset Password.
e. Click OK without entering a new password.

When prompted for the new pword, I entered it, but still could not log on.

I saw some mention of NetBIOS being a potential issue, so I added that
protocol to both computers - now I can't access HP from Dell! Before I do
anything else that gets me into worse trouble, I'd appreciate some guidance.

I'm amazed at how byzantine a process it is to set-up file sharing between
two computers, and I am relatively tech savvy!
 
I've been having a devil of a time getting my two XP MCE computers (1 HP, 1
Dell) to fully acess each other's files. I've scoured the MS newsgroups for
solutions but can't figure out what the issue is.

They are both connected by ethernet to a Netgear wireless hub. I can ping HP
from Dell by name and vice-versa. Both show up in View Workgroup Computers.
File and Printer Sharing are both enabled. Hard drives and folders are set
for Sharing. Both Admin accounts are under the same username and pword. Guest
accounts are enabled.

I was able to access and map HP network drives on Dell, but not vice versa.
When I try to add HP manually through Add a Network Place, I am asked for a
password to the guest account, but username is not changeable to login with a
different account.

I searched and tried this solution:

Guest Password Requirement - Steve Winograd [MVP]

23-Jul-07 12:04:05

On PC#2:

1. Type this line at a command prompt to enable the Guest account for
networked access:

net user guest /active:yes

2. Remove any network password from the Guest account:

a. Click Start > Run.
b. Type "control userpasswords2" in the box and click OK.
c. Click Guest.
d. Click Reset Password.
e. Click OK without entering a new password.

When prompted for the new pword, I entered it, but still could not log on.

I saw some mention of NetBIOS being a potential issue, so I added that
protocol to both computers - now I can't access HP from Dell! Before I do
anything else that gets me into worse trouble, I'd appreciate some guidance.

I'm amazed at how byzantine a process it is to set-up file sharing between
two computers, and I am relatively tech savvy!

What did you enter when prompted for the new password? My message
that you quoted said not to enter a password.

How did you add NetBIOS? It isn't one of the choices when you go to a
network connection's properties and click Install > Protocol > Add.
"NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol" is something
different and should not be installed. If you installed that
protocol, uninstall it.
--
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
 
Thanks Steve. I went and removed passwords for guest accounts on both comps.
I also uninstalled the protocol listed below. Now I am back to being able to
access HP from Dell, but not vice-versa. I've tried to set up the two comps
in the same manner, so I am baffled as to why the Dell is not network
accessible. Any other suggestions?

:

!
 
Thanks Steve. I went and removed passwords for guest accounts on both comps.
I also uninstalled the protocol listed below. Now I am back to being able to
access HP from Dell, but not vice-versa. I've tried to set up the two comps
in the same manner, so I am baffled as to why the Dell is not network
accessible. Any other suggestions?

Start Dell in "Safe mode with networking" and see if you can access it
from HP. If you can, the problem in normal mode is probably caused by
a firewall program on Dell blocking access.

Make sure that "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" is
enabled in the LAN properties on Dell.

Make sure that NetBIOS Over TCP/IP is enabled on both computers:

1. Open the Network Connections folder.
2. Right click the local area network connection.
3. Click Properties.
4. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
5. Click Properties.
6. Click Advanced.
7. Click WINS.
8. Click the Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP button.
--
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
 
OK. I followed your instructions on Safe Mode and NetBios - still can't
access Dell. I have no Firewall program apart from Windows built-in, which is
configured the same as HP, so it should be irrelevant.

What else could it be?
 
Josefk100 said:
OK. I followed your instructions on Safe Mode and NetBios - still can't
access Dell. I have no Firewall program apart from Windows built-in, which is
configured the same as HP, so it should be irrelevant.

What else could it be?

Did you start Dell in "Safe Mode with Networking"? If you start in
"Safe Mode", networking won't work.

Did you verify that File and Printer Sharing is enabled in the LAN
connection properties?

Have you ever uninstalled a firewall program, such as ZoneAlarm? It
might have left bits of itself behind.

Can you ping Dell from HP? Open a command prompt window on HP and try
it, using Dell's computer name and its IP address. For example:

ping dell
ping 192.168.1.100

Substitute the actual computer name and IP address.

Open a command prompt window on Dell, type this command, and reboot:

netsh winsock reset
--
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
 
1. Started in Safe-mode with Networking
2. Verified F&PS is enabled
3. Never had an installed Firewall program
4. Can ping Dell from HP

What next?
 
1. Started in Safe-mode with Networking
2. Verified F&PS is enabled
3. Never had an installed Firewall program
4. Can ping Dell from HP

What next?

Is there an antivirus program on Dell? If so, which one? Check to
see if it includes a firewall component (such as "Internet Worm
Protection" in Norton Antivirus) that has to be configured.

On Dell, go to Control Panel > Security Center. What does it say
about firewall protection?

On Dell, open a command prompt window and type this. What happens?

net share

On HP, type this in the Start > Run box, substituting the Dell's
actual computer name:

\\Dell

What happens?
--
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
 
Is there an antivirus program on Dell? If so, which one? Check to
see if it includes a firewall component (such as "Internet Worm
Protection" in Norton Antivirus) that has to be configured.

Using Symantec AntiVirus - no apparent Firewall component - the only
components that seem related are File-System Auto-Protect and Tamper
Protection (?)
On Dell, go to Control Panel > Security Center. What does it say
about firewall protection?

Firewall protection is on
On Dell, open a command prompt window and type this. What happens?

net share
Here's what's listed
Share name Resource Remark

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IPC$ Remote IPC
print$ C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers
Printer Drivers
C$ C:\ Default share
ADMIN$ C:\WINDOWS Remote Admin
C C:\
C:\Documents and Settings\My Name

SharedDocs C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\DOCUMENTS

PDFCreator PDFCreator: Spooled eDoc Printer
Printer USB002 Spooled Samsung SCX-4100 Series
Printer3 XPSPort: Spooled Microsoft XPS Document Writer
Printer4 Microsoft Document Ima Spooled Microsoft Office Document Image
Wr
Printer5 USB001 Spooled HP LaserJet 4100 PCL 6
Printer6 LPT1: Spooled HP LaserJet 4100
Printer7 LPT1: Spooled HP LaserJet 4050
On HP, type this in the Start > Run box, substituting the Dell's
actual computer name:

\\Dell

What happens?
--

I get the same Unavailable Messge I get when I try to access Dell from
Network Places
 
Firewall protection is on

I just looked at this again; it says that McAfee Personal Firewall Plus is
currently on, (it may have been pre-loaded), but thought I uninstalled all
of it. I looked around - I can't find it in my Program Files (there's a
McAfee folder for Spam Killer, which I don't use either, but no Firewall
Plus) nor in Add/Remove Progams. How am I supposed to remove a program that I
can't find?
 
I just looked at this again; it says that McAfee Personal Firewall Plus is
currently on, (it may have been pre-loaded), but thought I uninstalled all
of it. I looked around - I can't find it in my Program Files (there's a
McAfee folder for Spam Killer, which I don't use either, but no Firewall
Plus) nor in Add/Remove Progams. How am I supposed to remove a program that I
can't find?

Do you have a CD for installing McAfee Personal Firewall Plus? If so,
install the product from the CD, then uninstall it.

If that doesn't solve the problem, download and run the McAfee removal
tool, as described here under "Solution":

http://tools.mcafeehelp.com/doc.php?siteid=1&docid=419397

For more help with McAfee products:

http://forums.mcafeehelp.com/
--
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
 
I don't have a CD for it - I never installed it in the first place. After I
posted last, I searched for, found, and ran the McAfee uninstaller (which
said it was removing everything) and restarted. Then I checked Security
Center - it says McAfee Personal Firewall is on!!?

What else can I do?

I appreciate the help!
 
I don't have a CD for it - I never installed it in the first place. After I
posted last, I searched for, found, and ran the McAfee uninstaller (which
said it was removing everything) and restarted. Then I checked Security
Center - it says McAfee Personal Firewall is on!!?

What else can I do?

I appreciate the help!

You're welcome!

If Dell pre-installed McAfee, they should have provided with you with
a CD for the product.

Since this is a McAfee problem, I recommend asking for help on the
McAfee forums:

http://forums.mcafeehelp.com/
--
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
 
So are you saying that all that's keeping me from seeing the files on Dell is
this phantom McAfee Firewall?
 
So are you saying that all that's keeping me from seeing the files on Dell is
this phantom McAfee Firewall?

That seems likely, but I can't say for sure.

Go to Start > Run > Msconfig, and disable all McAfee programs on the
Startup and Services tabs. Then reboot and see if the problem is
fixed.

In any case, I recommend going to the McAfee forums to find out how to
completely remove McAfee.

That's all I can think of. Please let the newsgroup know the final
solution.
--
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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