XP networking problem

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From: chris2k (chris2k_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 10/04/04 

Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2004 12:01:04 -0700

Hi I posted this message (see below) a couple of days ago and got a good
reply - unfortunately after doing everything mentioned the problem has
persisted and I still cannot file share (I CAN connect to the internet on my
desktop computer through the connection provided by the laptop.)
Any help would be greatly apprected, thanks in advance
Chris

On Sat, 2 Oct 2004 05:11:02 -0700, "chris2k"
<chris2k@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote:

>Hi,
>I have recently connected a desktop PC running windows XP Pro and a Laptop
>running Windows XP Home. They are sharing an internet connection through the
>laptop. Both computers can connect to the internet without a problem.
>However when I go to my network places and on the desktop I receive a message
>saying that I cannot access my network (Work group HOME), both computers
>appear on the laptop when I open my network places, but I cannot access the
>desktop by clicking the icon, I receive another error message.
>If I use the command prompt on the desktop to ping my laptop (computer name
>chris), it works without a problem, when I repeat that action on the laptop
>and ping the desktop (computer name pinkowicz) it doesn't work, the host
>cannot be found.
>The two computers are connected by cable through networking cards and I
>would like to share my music files across the two computers (larger HDD on
>the desktop and too much music on the laptop is causing storage problems)

Chris,

Unbalanced name resolution problems, like yours, are usually caused by a
firewall.

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)?
 #Ihave windows firewall and Norton Internet security# If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445
and UDP 137, 138, 445 #I included these ports on the windows firewall#, by
enabling the File and Printer Sharing exception #I have done this for the
windows firewall#, and /
or by identifying the other computers as present in the Local (Trusted) zone
# I have done this for Norton Inernet security by placing the ip address and
subnet mask information from the laptop in the desktop and vice versa#.
Firewall configurations are a very common cause of (network) browser, and file
sharing, problems.

Are you running both Client for Microsoft Networks #Yes#, and File and
Printer Sharing
for Microsoft Networks #Yes#(Local Area Connection - Properties), on each
computer?
Do you have shares setup on each#unsure as to this#?

Are you running NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (Local Area Connection - Properties -
TCP/IP
- Properties - Advanced - WINS) on each computer#Yes#?

Make sure the browser service is running on each computer. Control Panel -
Administrative Tools - Services. Verify that the Computer Browser, and the
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper, services both show with Status = Started#Yes#.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

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