Xp Home Network/Remote Desktop

[NoComprende]

I had a Linksys router which was directly connected to one desktop (First Computer) and to a Linksys switch. The switch was connected to another desktop (Second Computer) and to a laptop. The Second Computer is the main computer that is used. From Second I was able to use Windows Remote Desktop connection to connect to First and Laptop. I was also able to access the shared folders on any computer by using any one of the other computers.

I have just removed the Linksys router and replaced it with the DLink 614+. I can no longer access any of the shared folders on any of the computers. I can use RDC on Second to connect to First , but can no longer see Laptop. Also, now when I use RDC, I have to type in the IP address of First in order to access it, instead of using the name I gave to it when intially setting up the home network.

I ran Xp Home Networking Wizard when I had First and Second directly connected with crossover cable, but I did not use it when I got the Linksys router and switch and everything still worked fine. I was able to share the internet and use RDC on Laptop without running the Home Network wizard on Laptop. I have tried to run the Home Network wizard since getting the DLink router, but I still cannot use RDC or access any shared folders.

Each of the three computers can access the DSL line without any problem.

I have the folders on all computers I want to share set for sharing. I have set each computer to allow others to remotely connect. MS firewall is turned off on all. The DLink router has DHCP turned on, but I don't know if this has anything to do with it. I am using Norton Personal Firewall, but I was using it with the Linksys router also and never had any problems.

If I assign any computer to the workgroup by entering the present workgroup name I get the "Welcome to the xx Workgroup" message, but when I use "View Workgroup Computers" in "My Network Places" the only one that shows up is Second. The most confusing thing is that I am able to use RDC to connect to First from Second, but cannot access any of First's shared folders without using RDC.

I have read a lot at www.practicallynetworked.com but I still cannot figure this out. I saw a similar problem in the thread "Home Networking Problems/Questions...Help Appreciated" but don't understand the answer. I don't work with computers and only do this while I am at home. I would really appreciate any help that you could give to someone that can get around computers pretty good but has never tried to change settings outside the windows interface and does not know detailed technical aspects of computing. Thanks.

 

[NoComprende]

I'm 0 for 3 at having questions answered. Could anyone reading this offer some feedback on the nature of my post, maybe that's why I don't get answers.

Did I make my question too long? I was just trying to include more info to get a better answer.

Is this a really simple topic that is not worth answering?

Is the problem too complicated to answer in these forums?

If anyone could refer me to another place to post my question that might be more likely to get an answer I would also appreciate that.

Thanks

 

[Lord Evermore]

The Networking forums don't get much traffic here, compared to the other forums. It may be that nobody has any idea how to resolve your problem so they just don't bother answering. Others probably just don't want to read such a long story to find out what the problem is (I didn't bother originally), or just don't want to invest the time in a long solution. I'll look at it again just to see if I have any clue. Most of my threads are way too long and I get ignored. 🙂

 

[Lord Evermore]

I don't think that your problems are related to the problems in that other thread. In that thread, the issue seemed to stem from them having multiple IP addresses from their provider, rather than just one IP with a router in place.

My first guess is that the filtering/firewall functions of the 614+ are preventing some of the Windows Networking functions.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: NoComprende
Did I make my question too long?

Yap!

In any case the first thing you should do is learn how to configure your Network manually.

The Network Wizard is like Fast Food. Cheap fast but troublesome for the long range. (Fat & Cholesterol log the Veins).

Any wizard concerning Network might work once when you first configure the Network. Any further use of the Wizard can trash the Network since it changes back settings that was build in time by applications and hardware installation. The time it is supposable saved by using the wizard, get used many times over when trying to correct the mess later on.

In other word learning how to configure manually takes more time at the beginning, but saves much more time down the line.

Once you reconfigure every thing go over the sharing.

Important For the purpose of the initial setting, disable all software Firewall (including WinXP native
ICF); disable any active Virus scan or any other utility that might intercept Network Traffic.

The following Collection of Links might help:

If you are not concern about internal security WinXP has a fast simple method of sharing, no user permissions and no passwords.

Windows XP Simple File Sharing

WinXP Pro has an additional more secure method:

Windows XP Professional File Sharing.

XP File Sharing Trouble

Win98 Sharing:

AanadTech - FAQ. Networking and sharing between computers.

LOL, my answer is longer than your question!

 

[NoComprende]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate each of you taking the time to read and reply to my posts.

The feedback about the post looking like a novel is well taken - I never stopped to think about how often I skip reading just because it looks like too much.

I am grateful for the networking tips and for the links. I will read them this weekend and see what I can figure out.

I can't thank you guys enough, this really helps me out.