Re: Home Network - problem adding PC to Workgroup
- From: Malke <notreally@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:24:26 -0800
Carylesc wrote:
I've have a DSL combo wireless/wired network with XP pcs on a shared workgroup that has been up and working fine for some time. I'm trying to add my new pc - an XP media center desktop- via the wireless connection. The pc is configured to work with the DSL router, and accesses the internet just fine. But I CAN't seem to get it recognized by or get it to recognize the other pcs in the workgroup.
One of the other pcs "sees" the name of the new XPmedia center pc, but can't access any shared drives or resources. The XPmedia center pc doesn't see anything in the workgroup at all.
Where do I start? Thanks all!
Here are general network troubleshooting steps. Not everything may be applicable to your situation, so just take the bits that are. It may look daunting, but if you follow the steps at the links and suggestions below systematically and calmly, you will have no difficulty in setting up your sharing.
For XP, start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see caveat in Item A below).
Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating system does not permit it. Read through the general networking tips below and if you still are having difficulties, MVP Hans-Georg Michna has an excellent small network troubleshooter here:
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm
Taking the time to go through his troubleshooter will usually pinpoint the source of the problem(s).
Here are some general networking tips for home/small networks:
A. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network (LAN) traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing File/Printer Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the Network Setup Wizard on XP will take care of this for those machines.The only "gotcha" is that this will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2006/07) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. With third-party firewalls, I usually configure the LAN allowance with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct subnet. Do not run more than one firewall.
B. For ease or organization, put all computers in the same Workgroup. This is done from the System applet in Control Panel, Computer Name tab.
C. Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines.You do not need to be logged into the same account on all machines and the passwords can be different for each user account; they just need to exist on all machines. If you wish a machine to boot directly to the Desktop (into one particular user's account) for convenience, you can do this. The instructions at this link work for both XP and Vista:
Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) - http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm
D. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:
1. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user accounts/passwords on all computers.
2. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the Simple File Sharing enabled. Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it matters in your situation.
E. Create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users' home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared Documents folder.
F. After you have file sharing working (and have tested this by exchanging a file between all machines), if you want to share a printer connected locally to one of your computers, share it out from that machine. Then go to the printer mftr.'s website and download the latest drivers for the correct operating system(s). Install them on the target machine(s). The printer should be seen during the installation routine. If it is not, install the drivers and then use the Add Printer Wizard.
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
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