Re: XP workgroups
- From: "Bill" <stanton@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 21:16:42 GMT
Thanks for all your tips and guidance. I will print off what you've written
and carefully isolate off two of the machines on the network to see if
I can decifer what's going on from the information that I get from HoverIP.
Thanks again,
Bill
"DatabaseBen" <databaseben@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%232LEjZQzGHA.2640@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
well, sometimes it like a puzzle. By placing all the pieces on the table
before you and see which ones will fit together. Likewise, by exploiting
the feature on each machine individually, a better picture can be
ascertained. The possibility exists that one of the machines is causing
the detrimental effect on the whole system. And if you make only 1 group,
the configuration problem may not be evident. The fine tuning involves
the computer name and workgroup in the systems control panel and the menu
option of tools in the explorer, where the drives become mapped and
inaccessible when you try to access them via the explorer tree. If
everything is synchronized, the shared drives of all your networked pc's
will show up in the file tree. It is unclear how much memory or
processing power your machines have, but sometimes reopening the explorer
or restarting an unresponsive machine will help connect them. Also, it is
always best to allow the machine and yourself focus on the issue of
networking, thus disabling firewalls, antiviral and all startup programs,
will make it easier. Especially if you have loaded othersoftware that
requires configuration for use on your network. If I remember, I think
that later I discovered that the workgroup did "not" have tobe created
with the wizard, but simply changing the computer and workgroup name in
systems control panel.
As a suggestion you use and work on 2 machines first. Then when they are
networked and synchronized, connect the third to the group.
Unfortunately, I cannot spend anymore time here. It is simply a matter of
trial and error and windows is forgiving to this degree and it also
provides you with the tools to restore your system if something goes
wrong. I am simply providing some helpful tidbits that are sometimes
overlooked....
Ultimately, if the matter of making your home network is a serious one,
rather than a convenience, you probably should get a professional to set
it up and install network cards if necessary. But if your a hobbyist,
then create your backups, restore points and experiment away. I think
there are these inexpensive yellowish books on home networking at the
office supply store, maybe best buy too. I think you will be
successful.... GL...!
"Bill" <stanton@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:pwrJg.12291$Qf.8072@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
If you don't mind, stay with this thread for a day or so while I try to
sort out
whatever comes up while I work through your suggestions. I'm in
California
USA for time reference.
For starters, let me verify my understanding of work groups (your
suggestion
of creating one on each machine gives rise to the question.). Each of my
machines is given a unique "machine name" and each machine is joined to
a single "Workgroup". When I go to MyNetworkPlaces, I expect to see
the "workgroup" name and each of the nodes connected to that group
displayed in the next level of the tree. If that's not quite right, then
I'm
being my "own worst enemy". If my understanding is correct, then you
might elaborate as to what you're trying to get at by having me name a
different workgroup on each machine.
(I can't try anything on the offending network until late tomorrow,
Thursday)
Bill
"DatabaseBen" <databaseben@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:O7IdDtJzGHA.4204@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
it is a bit tricky and unstable at times for a variety of reasons,
sometimes I have
difficulties myself, but not always. I don't know how much work you have
done
into trying to overcome it. And there is simply to much to go through
and I hope what
little I can provide you, by way of experience with my own system, may
get you into the
right direction.
Firstly, download a freeware called HoverIP. It will be useful to you
as you will see.
Next, it will be easier to turnoff your firewall and your antiviruls, at
least temporarily for now.
Because of this, the focus should be on figuring out your network rather
than wondering over
the net and inadverdently pick up anything while your protection is off
at this time.
Next, for testing purposes, go each pc and create a unique workgroup
name. Something like
on your main machine, create a workgroup on it called Machine1. Then on
the other computer, create
a workgroup called machine 2, and so on. That way when you look for
these network places
you will be able to get a clearer picture. Your chances to have a
successful connection are improved as well.
Of course you know about setting the drives and folder for sharing. The
next thing to watch out for is
the mapping of drives. This isn't necessary at this time, but later on
you will find it useful. Then sometimes they are locked and you have to
disconnect them, These 2 selections are under tools.
Also, sometimes you simply have to close the explorer and reopen to see
if the networked drives are avail to you. Then at times
one of the computers needs to be rebooted, which I suppose clears out
the cache or whatever... It can help if you run into trouble.
If you get network functionality and have some confidence of how your
unique system functins, then begin turning on your
firewalls and antiviruls. In windows firewall you will have to create a
port/exception for your subnet...
Hope these bits help.
By the way, you may also find it a good idea to rename your machines for
ease of workgroup'ing. Go to system and computer name via the control
panel.
GL!
"Bill" <stanton@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:yoqJg.737$v%4.700@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'm having no end of problems with a simple workgroup network wherein
I'm trying to share the hard-drives amongst 3 machines. Sometimes one
system
will "see" the drive resources on one of the other machines via
MyNetworkPlaces
and sometimes "workgroup name" not available, sometimes maybe network
services aren't started or sometimes permissions not given or Lord only
knows
what else.
Two of the machines are XP Home SP2 while the 3rd is XP Pro. Each is
connected to a Linksys WRT54G router that is also connected to a
satellite
modem for wideband service. Each is joined to a single workgroup "GCC"
and "most" of the time the that workgroup will show up in the
MyNetworkPlaces
tree, even though subsequent attempts to view the workgroup nodes might
fail.
I thought XP Home systems could handle a simple network as I've
described.....
Is that wishful thinking?
Bill
.
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