Re: Cannot join workgroup

On Sun, 1 May 2005 18:19:01 -0700, gigals <gigals@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>
>> Your service then is two ip address - dynamic or static addresses?
>
>Comcast gives me a dynamic ip address. Since I'm using Comcast for both
>computers (through the switch and cable modem) they both get dynamic ip
>addresses.

OK, there's the answer. You have 2 physical (MAC) addresses. Each MAC address
is assigned an address by Comcast. There is no guarantee that the two addresses
will be on the same subnet, and if they are not on the same subnet, they will be
unable to communicate by TCP/IP. Even if we solve all other communications
problems (if any still exist to be solved), you won't be able to network these
computers this way. See below.

I'm getting better at seeing this occasional situation. I only missed seeing
the clue (below) 2 conversation exchanges ago. Last time it was 3 or 4, the
time before that numerous. Each time, I have to slap my face in disgust though.

>> You are running Windows Networking between two computers connected directly to
>> the internet, and with WF and the FPS exception enabled. What is the Scope for
>> FPS? Have you opened the FPS exception up to the internet? Gack. Probably not
>> relevant to the problem, but not good. At all.
>
>I'm not sure how it's configured in regards to this. Basically, the firewall
>has FPS listed as an exception in the exceptions dialog box.

You are opening your Windows Networking service ports to the internet as a
whole. This is not a good idea.
>
>> What AntiVirus do you have on each computer? Is it up to date?
>
>I use Symantec (Norton) Corporate Ed., and I check for updates every day on
>both computers.

OK, Symantec CE is just AntiVirus (I think). Occasionally, someone posts here
with a problem like yours, and has no firewall causing the problem. Until they
realise that Norton AntiVirus that they are running is a Norton Internet
Security component. Another component of NIS is Norton Personal Firewall, which
they forgot about.

The clues to the answer (DOHH):

Windows IP Configuration
Host Name : Gigals

Dhcp Enabled : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled : Yes
IP Address : 67.171.65.125
Subnet Mask : 255.255.248.0
Default Gateway : 67.171.64.1

Windows IP Configuration
Host Name : IBM_A31p

Dhcp Enabled : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled : Yes
IP Address : 67.186.35.89
Subnet Mask : 255.255.254.0
Default Gateway : 67.186.34.1

Different subnets = TCP/IP is useless. Plus, it's dangerous.

If you are going to have 2 computers using separate Cable Broadband internet
connections, you absolutely should not be connecting them for file sharing using
TCP/IP, unless you setup a VPN between the two. Open file sharing using the
internet is a very bad idea; if you can see shared data on another computer, so
can everybody else on the internet.

This is (one of the very few cases) where you need to use IPX/SPX on both
computers. IPX doesn't route, so it is only visible between the two computers.
Install and enable IPX/SPX, and unbind file sharing from TCP/IP, on both
computers.

This web page written by Steve Winograd will help explain how to do this.
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

A far better solution would be to get a NAT router, and share one ip address.
By not paying for 2 IP addresses, you could save enough money to pay for the
router in a few months, and after that, who knows what you could find to spend
your saved money? Send it to me if you have no imagination. ;)

--
Cheers,
Chuck
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not necessarily a bad thing - it comes from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.
.

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