WinXP PC can't see others (solved) - Now need user account help

[reicherb]

I've got a small 3 machine network. All PCs are brand new out of the box.

Server - Win2k Server (don't ask why. That's what they wanted) - Static Address with NetBOIS over TCP/IP enabled
PC1 - WinXP Pro- DHCP Address with NetBOIS over TCP/IP enabled
PC2 - WinXP Pro- DHCP Address with NetBOIS over TCP/IP enabled
All plugged into an unmanaged switch.

PC1 and the server can see each other just fine.
PC2 can't see anything and nothing can access it. They can see PC2 but get an error that it's not accessible. When trying to browse the network from PC2 I get an error that the workgroup is not accessible.

Any thought what I've got wrong here?

Thanks.

 

[reicherb]

I added Netbui and everybody sees everybody know.

 

[mboy]

Then u screwed up as u definately do not need netbui.

Di u make accounts for the users and pc's in 2k server? I imagine u arent using AD, but did you at least create a domain and add the computers?

And since u are quite surprised they are using win2k server, what would u have suggested for their server OS?

 

[reicherb]

Then u screwed up as u definately do not need netbui.

It seems to me atleast in the 9x world Netbui was often needed to get file sharing to work. Is it a problem to have it installed?

Di u make accounts for the users and pc's in 2k server? I imagine u arent using AD, but did you at least create a domain and add the computers?

Accounts are as follows:
Server - Administrator, User1, User2
PC1 - User1, User2
PC2 - User1, User2

And since u are quite surprised they are using win2k server, what would u have suggested for their server OS?

I suggested WinXP or Win2k Pro because when I explained to them what a domain was and how it worked, they said they didn't want it. They just want to use a peer-peer network and allow everyone to share files with everyone. They don't want to have to login and they don't want to have to enter passwords to access each other.

 

[mboy]

Well, then u are correct the, they screwed up with 2k server as they wont be using ANY of it's features,lol

Netbui was never need to get a peer to peer working in 9x either.
I wouldnt use it 9 (and dont myself)

Make sure the firewall is off in PC 2 and that the user accounts u have created are added to each machine.

 

[reicherb]

Make sure the firewall is off in PC 2 and that the user accounts u have created are added to each machine.

That's what the problem was.

Let me get some more advice here. Here is there general setup.

1 Server - Win2k Server with a tape driver and IDE RAID5 (I know, I know)
2 WinXP Pro PCs
2 Win9x PCs
1 WinXP Pro Laptop

They have 5 users and are going to be using the server as a workstation. They want to be able to share files between each PC and don't want to enter passwords. They also don't use the same PC all day long. For whatever reason they switch. I'm really struggling with the best way to setup accounts on these systems. Here is what I'm thinking, but please let me know if you think there is a better way.

everyone logs into PC1 (WinXP) as User1 using autoadminlogin reg key
everyone logs into PC2 (WinXP) as User1 using autoadminlogin reg key
PC3 (Win98) is using User3 profile
PC4 (Win98) is using User4 profile
everyone logs into laptop1 as User5 using autoadminlogin reg key
everyone logs into the server as User6 using autoadminlogin reg key

I then will create all of those accounts on everyone machine and grant them full access to the hard drive.

Man this seems so ass backwards, but they were totally against a domain and don't like the idea of having to login. Is there a better way to get them what they want than what I've suggested?

Thanks.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

In a word: AAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!

Firstly, using a server as a workstation is the ultimate in bad practice. Please try and make them see this.

Is the network connected to the internet? If not, just let everyone use the same user account and allow 'everyone' access to everything on the 2K/XP machines. There's no chance of having any security the way it's going to be setup so you may as well save yourself the hassle and simply remove security altogether if no internet connection is available.

Netbeui is completely unnecessary, especially if you have a server - install wins and DNS for name lookup.

Why have you got machines running 9x? if there's any chance of sticking 2K/XP on them, do it. It'll save you no end of hassles.

Also, why were you planning to use profiles on the 9X machines?

 

[reicherb]

Firstly, using a server as a workstation is the ultimate in bad practice. Please try and make them see this.

I have. It's strange. They know everything about computers and network, but they are having me set it up for them. Kind of ironic.

Is the network connected to the internet? If not, just let everyone use the same user account and allow 'everyone' access to everything on the 2K/XP machines. There's no chance of having any security the way it's going to be setup so you may as well save yourself the hassle and simply remove security altogether if no internet connection is available.

It's not connected to the Internet currently, but I suspect it will be.

Netbeui is completely unnecessary, especially if you have a server - install wins and DNS for name lookup.

Good thinking. Will do.

Why have you got machines running 9x? if there's any chance of sticking 2K/XP on them, do it. It'll save you no end of hassles.

They won't spend the cash. That's why they are using the server as a workstation.

Also, why were you planning to use profiles on the 9X machines?

I didn't actually mean profiles, I just meant User3 and User4 are the usernames on the 9x PCs.

 

[mboy]

Actually, if they insist on doing things the way they are telling u to do them, they know very litte, actually next to nothing about computers and netowrks. Whatever they are paying you, I would tell them you want another 50% on top of it becuase it will require a lot more work to setup and maintain and incorrect setup.

 

[reicherb]

Originally posted by: mboy
Actually, if they insist on doing things the way they are telling u to do them, they know very litte, actually next to nothing about computers and netowrks. Whatever they are paying you, I would tell them you want another 50% on top of it becuase it will require a lot more work to setup and maintain and incorrect setup.

I'm actually charging them what I would have charged them to setup Active directroy, DHCP, DNS, a router for Internet access, etc. Now I basically just took everything out of the box, turned on file sharing and created accounts on all of the machines. As far as I'm concerned, they are loosing on the network and they are probably paying me too much.

 

[reicherb]

Any other thoughts out there?