Re: Local networking problems on XP

From: Chuck (none_at_example.net)
Date: 12/21/04

  • Next message: Bemused: "Cannot get ftp to work with ICS enabled - xp sp2" 
    Date: 21 Dec 2004 02:52:04 -0600

    On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 08:40:31 GMT, "nzuri" <nzuri@eudoramail.com> wrote:

    >I'm having problems getting a simple home network to work properly. I'm
    >trying to connect my laptop and desktop using an ethernet cable. Both
    >machines are running Windows XP home. The machines are talking to each
    >other - at least the icon showing the connection is in the task tray and
    >indicated the machines are connected. What I can't do is get the machines
    >to appear in 'my network places' when I try to set up a network and add one
    >machine to the other's list.
    >
    >Odd thing is that this worked, intermittently, when I first tried to set it
    >up. I was able to transfer files etc., although often the icons in 'my
    >network places' (both the laptops and the desktops) disappeared and I had to
    >set them up again. Now I can't even set them up.
    >
    >I've tried turning off the firewalls on both machines (I use Sygate) exited
    >virus checkers (Avast), rebooted many times and still no joy.
    >
    >Any ideas gratefully received!!

    NZ,

    An intermittent visibility problem (My Network Places) is probably the browser
    (no not Internet Explorer) acting up.

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

    After checking / disabling / enabling as above, power both computers off to
    reset the browser settings on each. Then power them both on again.

    The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers you have in your
    domain / workgroup, at any time.
    http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

    You can download Browstat from either:
    <http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip>
    <http://rescomp.stanford.edu/staff/manual/rcc/tools/browstat.zip>

    Browstat is very small (40K), and needs no install. Just unzip the downloaded
    file, copy browstat.exe to any folder in the Path, and run it from a command
    window, by "browstat status". Make sure all computers give the same result.

    For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
    http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
    http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305
    <http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx>

    Also, the browser requires anonymous access, so look at registry key
    [HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa], values restrictanonymous and
    everyoneincludesanonymous.
    <http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/default.asp?url=/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/regentry/46688.asp>
    <http://www.jsifaq.com/subf/tip2600/rh2625.htm>
    http://support.microsoft.com/?id=246261
    http://support.microsoft.com/?id=296403
    http://support.microsoft.com/?id=278259

    The above articles refer to Windows 2000. Remember WinXP is NT V5.1, and Win2K
    is NT V5.0.

    Have you used the Registry Editor before? If not, it's a scary tool, but it's
    pretty simple once you get used to it. Here are a couple articles that might
    help:
    <http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/tools_regeditors.asp>
    <http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/registry>

    Just remember to backup the key (create a registry patch) for
    [HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa] before making any changes, if
    appropriate.

    >From the Annoyances article:
    You can create a Registry patch by opening the Registry Editor, selecting a
    branch, and choosing Export from the File menu. Then, specify a filename, and
    press OK. You can then view the Registry patch file by opening it in Notepad
    (right-click on it and select Edit). Again, just double-click on a Registry
    patch file (or use Import in the Registry Editor's File menu) to apply it to the
    registry. 

    -- 
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
  • Next message: Bemused: "Cannot get ftp to work with ICS enabled - xp sp2"

    Relevant Pages

    • Re: Home Networking
      ... >>>hi chuck, ... >>>i tried what you said and turned off the browser on the 2000 machine. ... >>>the 2000 machine is a laptop connected wirelessly and the pc is xp connected ... >> Have you used the Registry Editor before? ...
      (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
    • Re: File sharing : LAN with =?ISO-8859-1?Q?=E9_XPPros_and_?= =?ISO-8859-1?Q?1_XPHome
      ... The internet connection works fine, The XP home laptop can see the other 2 PCs in Network Neighbourhood and in the Workgroup areas and can access their files via any installed software. ... The browser requires anonymous access, ... Have you used the Registry Editor before? ...
      (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
    • Re: Home LAN : XP Pro SP2 - passwords ? Master browser ?
      ... >>>I've disabled the Browser Service on the new laptop. ... >> Peter, ... Have you used the Registry Editor before? ...
      (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
    • Re: Network not working
      ... In a 2 computer network ... If you have more than 2 machines then one of the machines can be ... >network, but there needs to be a Master Browser, if the machine that is ...
      (microsoft.public.win2000.networking)
    • Use Threaded Display ("Group Messages by Conversation" in OE)
      ... Subject: IE 6 hangs without http:// header in URL ... check of the registry values below confirmed that they did not ... Norton Internet Security 2004 to Internet Security 2006. ... The two machines are disseperate machines. ...
      (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
    • Quantcast