Re: Wireless network issue for two SP2 computers

From: Steve Winograd [MVP] (winograd_at_pobox.com)
Date: 11/19/04 

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 23:21:01 -0700

In article <FD37806D-0649-4035-91D6-ABAB511C078F@microsoft.com>,
"Xybotten" <Xybotten@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>Ok, I have looked at everything I can look at and I still don't get it. Seems
>like the more I do the more confusing it gets.
>
>Configuration:
>Main Computer
>Win XP Pro SP2 all updates through 11/17/04
>IP Address: 192.168.1.100
>Connecting to Internet via Ethernet LAN Port on Intel Board
>Acts as ICS host (supposedly, see description of problem) with DSL Internet
>Connection
>
>
>Wireless Router
>Linksys BEFW11S4
>Most recent Firmware
>IP 192.168.1.1
>
>USB NIC
>Linksys USB11
>Driver as originally shipped
>IP Config 192.168.1.101
>
>Second Computer
>Win XP Home SP2
>IP Address 192.168.1.102
>
>Internal NIC for second computer
>Linksys WMP11 most recent firmware
>IP Same as Second Computer 192.168.1.102
>
>Description of Problems
>Both computers can connect to the Internet, which is strange becasue the
>Second Computer (XP Home) can connect to the internet even when the Main
>Computer is turned off. (I though with ICS, the host had to be on). But it
>getrs wierder. On the Main Computer with xp Pro when I try to view workgroup
>computers, I get the message that every gets, Workgroup not accessible. You
>night not have permission to use this resource. Contact the administrator of
>this server to find out if you have access permissions.
>The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.
>
>No matter how I try to access the workgroup, I get this message on this
>computer. When I pull up view network computers, when I try to add network
>places, everything. I hate it too, because I am the administrator, very
>annoying.
>
>Ok, but also, on the second computer with internal NIC when I pull up view
>workfroup computers, I can see the Main computer but when I click it I get a
>similar message with Computer Name instead of Workgtoup and then it says the
>network path could not be found.
>
>I have TCP/IP enabled, Client for MS Networks enabled, TCP/IP over NETBios
>enabled, Computer Browser Started, TCP/IP NETBIOS Helper Startedeverything I
>could find to fix this I have tried.
>
>On the main computer, I can ping the router and the USB NIC but not the LAN
>Port of the mainboard. On the Second Computer, I can ping, the computer
>itself but not the USB NIC card that is supposed to be its cnnection. Again
>though, It can connect to the net.
>
>That's all the info I can think of and any help would be appreciated. I have
>been working on this for a month and I am at my wits end. I want to be able
>to share printers and files and all taht, actually create a Local Area
>Network for my home, no success.
>
>Oh, I did forget something, the SP Pro comp is running Norton Anti-virus
>(fully updated) and Norton Internet Security 2003, fully updated. I also have
>Windows firewall protecting the Internet connection but it is disabled on the
>supposed LAN connections, (USB Card to Internal NIC Card).
>
>The LAN connection also has TCP/IP, with Client for MS Networks, QoS Packet
>scheduler and File and Printer Sharing all activated.
>
>Thanks Again

I don't see anything in your description that indicates that ICS is
on. ICS assigns IP addresses in the 192.168.0.x subnet, and all of
your addresses are in the 192.168.1.x subnet.

If you have a DSL modem that connects to the wireless router, you
don't need ICS and should disable it if it's enabled.

If the XP Pro comp has a direct connection to a DSL modem, then you
need to:

1. Enable ICS on the DSL connection.

2. Connect the wireless router, using one of its LAN ports, to a
different NIC on the XP Pro computer.

3. Configure the wireless router as an access point only, bypassing
its routing capability and disabling its built-in DHCP server.

These tips should help you get the computers to see each other:

1. If the computers run the original or SP1 versions of Windows XP,
disable XP's built-in Internet Connection Firewall on local area
network connections -- it's for use only on a direct modem connection
to the Internet. If they run SP2, enable the exception for file and
printer sharing in the Windows Firewall. Disable and un-install all
other firewall programs while troubleshooting. When un-installing a
firewall program, use the un-install procedure provided by the
manufacturer . Don't use Control Panel | Add or Remove Programs,
which might not completely un-install it.

For more information, see:

Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/ic_firewall.htm

2. Use only one protocol for File and Printer Sharing. If the network
needs more than one protocol, unbind File and Printer Sharing from all
but one of them. Details here:

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

3. Make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all computers.
Details here:

Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP (NetBT)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/netbt.htm

4. Run "ipconfig /all" on XP and look at the "Node Type" at the
beginning of the output. If it says "Peer-to-Peer" (which should
actually be "Point-to-Point") that's the problem. It means that the
computer only uses a WINS server, which isn't available on a
peer-to-peer network, for NetBIOS name resolution.

If that's the case, run the registry editor, open this key:

   HLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netbt\Parameters

and delete these values if they're present:

   NodeType
   DhcpNodeType

Reboot, then try network access again.

If that doesn't fix it, open that registry key again, create a DWORD
value called "NodeType", and set it to 1 for "Broadcast" or 4 for
"Mixed".

For details, see these Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:

Default Node Type for Microsoft Clients
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;160177

TCP/IP and NBT Configuration Parameters for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314053 

-- 
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see.  I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

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