Computers can't see each other please help?

[Tret]

I've ran both of the networks wizards on the computer. Both computers are under admistrator and have full control have both of the harddrives under sharing enabled. and yet they can't see eachother. I ran out of ideas on what to do. please help could it be a router problem?

 

[JackMDS]

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions to Windows Network Settings, and Sharing.

Link to: Windows Network - Installing & Sharing.

:sun:

 

[KarenMarie]

Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP

Make sure that both firewalls are configured to allow each other

Make sure they are both on the same network. (Windows has it's default. make sure you change it whatever it should be)

 

[Tret]

Tried it and it didn't work.on my computer and i can see the new comp but I get a \\compname is not accessible check contact the adminstrator of this server if you have acces permission the network path is not found

can you tell me where I can enable netbios over tcp/ip?
nm tried it and it didn't work

 

[KarenMarie]

- A standard thing to do would be a ping test. On two machines that you are trying to get to see eachother, ping the other.
All machines are using DHCP and there are no duplicate IP addresses in the WLAN, right ?

- After you are sure they can see eachother on the IP level, another way to access a machine (rather than going through the network neighborhood) would be to execute start->run->\\machine_name or start->run->\\machine_IP
(sometimes one works while the other doesn't, so you can try both)
First try if each machine can see itself like this and that you can browse it locally through this interface. Then test if you can reach the other PC.

Also, make sure you have the Guest account enabled!

 

[Tret]

nm I pinged the other comp and it worked

 

[Tret]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
- A standard thing to do would be a ping test. On two machines that you are trying to get to see eachother, ping the other.
All machines are using DHCP and there are no duplicate IP addresses in the WLAN, right ?

- After you are sure they can see eachother on the IP level, another way to access a machine (rather than going through the network neighborhood) would be to execute start->run->\\machine_name or start->run->\\machine_IP
(sometimes one works while the other doesn't, so you can try both)
First try if each machine can see itself like this and that you can browse it locally through this interface. Then test if you can reach the other PC.

Also, make sure you have the Guest account enabled!

about the dupe ip thing one comp has one less number than the other. How can i check about if its dhcp and w lan? I find if funny that my old computer can see my new computer but i get that error. but my new computer cant even see my old computer.

 

[KarenMarie]

Here are a few things you could try:

First and formost, make sure there is no firewall software running! XP has built in PFW.Turn off the Internet Connection Firewall ICF in the advanced settings for the Lan Connection. Check for Norton Internet Security AV/Firewall, BlackIce, ZoneAlarm, et al. You will re-enable them after you figure out what is wrong.


Purge the ip and dns info altogether and see what happens.
start...run... ipconfig ...
here are the commands:

/all Display full configuration information
/release Release the IP address for the specified adapter
/renew Renew the IP address for the specified adapter
/flushdns Purge the DNS resolver cache
/registerdns Refresh all DHCP leases and re-register DNS names
/displaydns Display the contents of the DNS resolver cache

Start the Computer Browser Service:
Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
In the console tree, expand Services and Applications.
Click Services.
In the right details pane, verify that the Computer Browser service is started, right-click Computer Browser, and then click Start.
Close the Computer Management window.

make sure all the computers are on the same workgroup
Microsoft uses MSHOME as the default, but most people use WORKGROUP. I know you have probably checked that 100 times, you would not believe how many times I have overlooked that when making changes to a network.

Let us know how this works out... if this doesn't do it... we can try something else.

btw... I have assumed you are using XP PRO.... if not let me know. Also what router/modem do you have?

 

[Tret]

I tried it and it still didn't work.
Router/modem:
Router:Netgear fvs318
Modem:Motorola Surfboard Sb4100

Thanks for continuing to help me.

 

[KarenMarie]

Hi Tret,

Ok... A few more questions....

1) Do you have VPN installed on the computers?
2) Are you using XP SP2?
3) What happens if you connect the machines thru the modem without the router?
4) I should have asked this earlier... sorry... but you have internet and no file sharing, or are you not getting internet either?

Don't worry... We will figure this out.

I need to go to the in-law for a while... eat some turkey and pretend I am thrilled to be there. I will check this again later.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[sjgmoney]

The first response tto your problem is your answer. Follow the instructions on Jack's site and you'll be all set.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Make sure they aren't wearing shades.

 

[Nocturnal]

Do you have a firewall? Disable it.