XP home edition // File sharing and Network problems

[Sword]

Hi,

First, here is my setup :

1- Linux box as the firewall and the router for internet. IP is 192.168.1.1
2- XP Home edition box with IP 192.168.1.10, appropriate DNS for internet.
3- XP Pro with IP 192.168.1.20

I can access internet from all PCs, I cannot ping every PCs on the network.
-I can ping 1 from 2
-I can ping 1 from 3
-I can ping 3 from 2
-I cannot ping 2 from 3

I think that my problem comes from the XP home edition because even when the XP pro box is shutdown, I still have the same error message when I attempt to access Microsoft network workgroup "MShome" :

"Mshome is not accessible. You may not have rights to use this network ressource. Contact the administrator of this server to know if you have access rights.

The list of servers of this work group is not available right now."

Please note that this is a translation from a french error message. The actual english may differ.So, what I want to do is to share folders from one PC to the other PC on the internal network. I do not want to remove the option for the easy sharing.

I have manually set NetBios over TCP/IP. I did use the small office/local network wizard with the following option : My computer connect to the internet through another computer on my local area network.

I chose the workgroup Mshome and I always have to change the IP address since Windows put it to DHCP.

I have read many information about similar problems but I guess I need very EXPLICIT clues and howto because I cant figure how to get this work !!!

I thank you all for your time.

NB. IF you need information on my system, please tell me how to get it since im not use with every aspect of XP.

EDIT-----------------------
Because I have a IEEE1394 Firewire port on my motherboard, Super windows detect it as a network card. Maybe it is one of the problem but I dont know how to remove it......

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Check in the advanced properties of TCP/IP, WINS tab, and make sure that NETBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled.

 

[Sword]

Already did....look in my first post !!

 

[JackMDS]

There are many Settings that can be set incorrectly, or and changed by mistake.

This change can occur due to human error, Software that relates to the Network, Internet Active Codes that are embed in received pages, etc.

One approach is the Up hazard trial an error that may or may not lead to a solution, the other approach is to go melodically over all the Network related setting.

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

Link: Installing & Sharing

 

[WeiWei]

I have the same problem... seems XP Home has some connectivity problem with it...

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: WeiWei
I have the same problem... seems XP Home has some connectivity problem with it...

Absolutely Not True.

Most of the problems in both WinXP Pro and Home are a result of partial ignorance by the users. It occurs because people preferences are ?Trial and Error? and repeating usage of Wizards rather than to learn how the Network Setting works. Once too many errors occurred parts of the Network will not work correctly since the Network related entries to the registry pass conflicting information to the system. If internet surfing works OK it is advisable to install NetBEUI as the default protocol for the LAN. If NetBEUI does not help, then it necessary to uninstall the Network and reinstall it.

All of the above assumes that at least the NetworkHardware and respective drivers are working correctly.

 

[Sword]

I am going to install NetBeui as the default protocol for LAN....

But does anybody knows the top 5 reasons why I cannot see my XP home computer from my XP pro (whith ping) ?

Exclude :

Anvi-virus (I killed it with Task manager with no results)
Firewall (ICF is disabled)

Thanks for the link. I already did it but I guess you are right, I should redo all the steps and make sure everything is fine. BTW, I am not an expert but I configure PCs since 1997, so maybe some technical explanation may help me.

Thank you

 

[Sword]

Hi again,

I think I must recap...

My first problem is :

I cannot ping my XP home machine from my XP pro machine

My second problem is :

I cannot access Mshome workgroup on my XP home machine from my XP home machine. Usually, you can at least see local shared folders on your machine and you cannot see others if they are not connected....

My third problem is :

I cannot share any files from my XP home to my XP pro.

I think that if I solve the first two I will solve the third.

 

[WeiWei]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: WeiWei
I have the same problem... seems XP Home has some connectivity problem with it...

Absolutely Not True.

Most of the problems in both WinXP Pro and Home are a result of partial ignorance by the users. It occurs because people preferences are ?Trial and Error? and repeating usage of Wizards rather than to learn how the Network Setting works. Once too many errors occurred parts of the Network will not work correctly since the Network related entries to the registry pass conflicting information to the system. If internet surfing works OK it is advisable to install NetBEUI as the default protocol for the LAN. If NetBEUI does not help, then it necessary to uninstall the Network and reinstall it.

All of the above assumes that at least the NetworkHardware and respective drivers are working correctly.

JackMDS, I've only had problems with XP Home and not with XP Pro, thats why I have that opinion.... probably the default hidden network settings(if there are any) for XP Pro is properly configured for networking ? I've set everything to be the same in both XP Pro and XP Home and XP Pro works but not XP Home.... why..!!????

 

[spidey07]

I've set everything to be the same in both XP Pro and XP Home and XP Pro works but not XP Home.... why..!!????

because something is misconfigured. might have some funky network bridge installed, firewall enabled, workgroup problem, not following proper naming conventions for workgroup/computer name (less than 14 characters, best to not use spaces and keep it alphanumeric). Could be account settings, could be any number of things.

 

[Sword]

Hi again,

I still cant ping my XP home machine.....

My network seems to be working since im on the net with it right now !!!!

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Not being able to ping a computer on your local LAN that has internet connectivity is normally the result of some firewall blocking the pings at the local level. Either XP's firewall, or a 3rd party one is stopping the access...

 

[Sword]

Ok guys I found it.

Of course you were all right !!!

I was killing the firewall process without sucess......the way to do it was to disable it from its configuration file.

Then, for my FBhome problem....my linux box has a not so working Samba share named Fbhome that was confusing windows...

I made it all working and now I can share data !!!!

As some were saying, it is always a configuration problem....but it is not always easy to find !

So it is now solved. TY

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Sword
Ok guys I found it.

Of course you were all right !!!

I was killing the firewall process without sucess......the way to do it was to disable it from its configuration file.

Then, for my FBhome problem....my linux box has a not so working Samba share named Fbhome that was confusing windows...

I made it all working and now I can share data !!!!

As some were saying, it is always a configuration problem....but it is not always easy to find !

So it is now solved. TY

Glad you got it.

Only thing I found about Home edition is it lacks the Athentication files to log into a PDC, so unless you are trying to install in a Corporate Office environment should be fine.

 

[Sword]

Hey dmcowen674,

I just realized who you are !!! I heard of you few years ago and now I see how far it gets..............I am glad you are done with that horror movie.....

Anyway good luck and I hope a normal living for you