Lose Network file sharing after Reboot or Next Startup(Finally Resolved)

[mastertech01]

I have problems with XP Pro on my workstation networked to my daughters computer on WinMe. I can use the network setup utility, run on both computers, get it all setup where both computers share files just great,share printers just fine, but on next bootup XP cant find the other computer. I even mapped her folders to the My Computer and as stated it all works peachy till I reboot or startup the next day and the mapped drives are X'd out and unable to be accessed. Im a network newbie but it seems like Ive gotten everything done according to the setup procedures but still no go.
When I view the workgroup my computer is the only one that shows up.
I have a dual network card, first lan connection goes to my internet access, second one is setup for access to my daughters computer to use internet via my system. we are connected thru a network hub. Her system has a network card installed as well.

The funny thing is that the other computer can still connect to the internet just fine thru my system. We just lose file/printer sharing.

 

[mastertech01]

bump

 

[Scarpozzi]

Try uninstalling the network following network protocols: IPX/SPX and NetBEUI. Do a cold reboot....then reinstall them and reboot once more. This may solve the problem if something isn't loaded correctly.

 

[AKA]

What is your common protocol your trying to get file & printer sharing to work with?

I know you have TCP/IP because she is going through yours for internet.. but is that all?

If so go into tcp/ip properties.. advance, then wins tab... do you have Netbios enabled over tcp/ip? Might set it manually if not.

Its obvious that tcp/ip is working but appears maybe the browser service isnt working correctly.

 

[mastertech01]

Thanks for the reply.

I reformatted the whole system last night thinking I might have screwed up the registry in some manner, but the same old story..

 

[mastertech01]

AKA, you must have been typing the same time as I was.. LOL
Thanks Ill give that a try.. as far as I know its only using TCIP

 

[mastertech01]

Enabled Netbios over TCP/IP, reinstalled the network on both computers using new config. Still can access everything great till the next reboot... still no access to the previous folders or printers after a reboot. Says cannot access, may not have permissions, contact administrator. Of course I am logged on as administrator. I am wondering if this is a hub issue

 

[mastertech01]

Well after searching google I found the easy fix. On THIS diagnostic webpage I found this fix.

Error 31 when attempting to browse the XP machine


This error occurs if you set up a user account without a password, and then attempt to log in across the network. By default, Windows XP doesn't permit remote users to connect from the network without a password. To allow access without a password:

Go to Control Panel | Performance and Maintenance | Administrative Tools | Local Security Policy.
Expand Local Policies | Security options.
Double-click Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console login only, which is enabled by default. Disable this option

THats all she took and I got on.. I have no password set for account login.

 

[AKA]

LOL!

Wish you had mentioned error 31. I had the same exact problem connecting my Win98 to my XP.. found the same thing you did a couple weeks ago.
But I could never get my Win98/WinMe to connect to XP.. but I could connect XP to Win9x. Took me awhile to find it.

 

[mastertech01]

Well I dont think XP calls it error 31, but it was the same problem what ever its called. Thanks for the help though


EDIT.. well that worked for one session and now back to the same old crap.. I am going to delete simple sharing and try a full manual setup.. Maybe I just need a router or a switch instead of this hub? sheesh

 

[Rainguy]

Yes John, ditch the second Nic and buy a cheap 4 port router off the boards for $45 or so and you'll be all set. Works much better all around.

 

[mjs22]

I am having a similar problem. My machines in question are:

1.) Server running Win2K Pro
2.) Desktop running Win98SE
3.) laptop running Win XP home edition.

I have all three set-up on successive IP addresses, they all belong to the same workgroup, they all have the same Default Gateway....

From the server computer (win2k) I can see it and the desktop in the "computers near me" that is all. From the desktop, I can see the desktop and the laptop (No server...but I can ping it and it does echo back.) From the lappy I can see the lappy and the desktop ( No server...I get a timed out response when I try to ping the server from the lappy)

All of my file sharing seems to work OK between the computers that I can see but if I shut down I am getting the same problems as those mentioned by mastertech01. If I go back in and reset to a different IP address then it will work again until I reboot....

I have no idea!

 

[degeester]

Recently built a new computer (Soyo Dragon +, XP 1700+, Windows XP Home Edition) and tried to network with my existing computer running Windows 2000 Pro, made a cross over cable, made sure the workgroup were same, made sure computer name is not the same name. I can access my new computer(Windows XP) from my old computer (Windows 2000) but can not do the reverse. Except the first time I hook up the two computers, on the XP computer a box popped up asking for user name and password, it worked fine until I had to reboot. Since then I cannot use the XP to access my Windows 2000 computer. Any suggestions?

 

[mastertech01]

Looks like a trend here..

 

[AKA]

My problem was error 31, but I wasnt using TCP/IP. I have tcp/ip installed... but not binded to file & printer sharing ( I dont use software firewall ).

I was getting error 31 over Netbeui, which setting a password fixed. I currently have no problems with them seeing each other.. but again Im using Netbeui for file and printer sharing.

If you have a simple network (10 computers or less ) then I would suggest you install Netbeui on all your computers. Works great for a simple network for file & printer sharing.

It looks like your problems are with TCP/IP & the browser service. Netbeui could be the workaround.

 

[mastertech01]

Well I got in a new hard drive today for my daughters system. Im going to do a fresh install. Im thinking it is possible that her system has been messed up with a version of Wingate I installed long ago, and may be presenting some conflicts. I am also exploring some possible hub setup problems, as I wasnt aware mine had an uplink, and it was enabled initially when I first tried setting up, and mjs22 PM me that he found that to be his problem, and also that a possible IRQ conflict may be occuring with all the junk I have sharing on this Tiger MP. So I may try using MPS instead of ACPI multiprocessor and see if manually setting IRQ will work out better. Have a lot of options here..

 

[mastertech01]

I give up with this current setup. I tried everything in the book hardware wise, OS wise, bios wise.. just dont work for file shareing. I guess my next stop is to get a router and see if that does the trick. What basically is the diff between Router, Switch, and a Gateway?

 

[JackMDS]

Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.
anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48">Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?</a>

Big Part of you go through has to do WinXP Pro, if you don't need the extras WinXP Home, seems to be more cooperative.

 

[mastertech01]

Jack, you are probably right about that.. Pro is really overkill in many ways, but I run a dual processor workstation and home doesnt support it..

 

[JackMDS]

Since you run a Dual CPU workstation, you need all the power that you can get. You are better off with Normal Network, with one of the Combo Router/Switch (read the two links in my previous post.

When you get back to WinXP Pro, here is a collection of links that might help:

Windows XP Professional .

Windows XP Professional Ed. Sharing Disks /Folders

Windows XP : Access control Via Security.

Windows XP Protocols.

Windows XP Simple File Sharing

XP File Sharing Trouble

Microsoft Networking, WinXp Pro.

And a lot of Good Luck.

 

[mastertech01]

Wow, thanks for all those links and good reading.. that will keep me busy for good while. I apprecaite all the effort and advice Jack..


John

 

[AKA]

mastertech01,

Im running XP Pro on a dual processor machine. Only difference I see is Im running Netbeui and using a router. Of course I know our hardware config is different.

Im going to remove Netbeui and see if I get the same problems you are. Will let you know.

 

[spidey07]

I always recommend using netbeui file and print sharing for small networks. It generally solves these browsing issues 9/10 times.

Microsoft networking with IP is just flaky. Try installing netbeui on your network cards.

 

[mastertech01]

Thanks, but I did try netbeui and still had the same problems. I am however awaiting a router that will be here later this week and hope to have this all resolved.

I may try netbeui again before it gets here since I reinstalled XP again. Ill let you know if things improve. Thanks!

 

[mastertech01]

Well I got in my Netgear RT314, hooked that badboy up and all my networking problems are resolved... Thanks to all who offered help. Looks like my simple hub was not the ticket, and a router was the answer.. at least the easy answer.

John