Re: Workgroup no longer accessible

On Jan 29, 1:03 pm, "Chuck [MVP]" <n...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:25:19 -0800 (PST), Beej <blafr...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
On Jan 29, 10:07 am, "Chuck [MVP]" <n...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:30:09 -0800 (PST), blafr...@xxxxxxx wrote:
I have a home network with 3 wired desktops.  One wireless laptop.
One wireless desktop. And two wireless Tivos.

The network has been up and functioning for 4+ years until two weeks
ago when I purchased a new router.  Now the laptop and one of the
wired desktops can no longer access the workgroup, although they can
access each other through the network shortcuts.  Neither can access
desktop # 2.  But desktop #2 can access desktop #1.  The last time I
checked desktop #2 could not access the laptop.  The error I receive
is the one that states that the workgroup is not accessible.  You may
not have permissions, etc.

I'm afraid to turn the other two desktops on, so am unsure of their
contectivity.  All three of the PCs in question have access to the
internet, and they print to a printer on a wired print server.  The
Tivos can access the internet and each other.

I've attempted to do system restores thinking that just the physical
act of connecting to a new router could have changed a setting.  I've
checked the settings on the router (a NetGear MaxRange).  The router
shows everything is connected.  I've changed the name of each
computer.  I've changed the name of the workgroup.  For a time the
laptop and destop #1 were able to access the workgroup and each other,
but I got the error on both of them when trying to get to desktop
#2.

I'm about ready to hook the old router back up, but am afraid that
whatever settings have changed will prevent it from working correctly
either.

It is important that I get this resolved.  I back a lot of work up
over the network to desktop #2, and right now I have limited to no
access to that PC over the network.  I'm also looking at the
possibility of needing surgery in the near future, and would like it
all functioning correctly to make my transition back into work as easy
as possible.

I would appreciate any help.  I set the whole thing up originally, but
would call my expertise level at about medium.

Whenever you involve new equipment, you introduce new settings.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-equipment-in-your-lan.html>http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-equipment-in-your-lan.html

What you're describing sounds like a misconfigured personal firewall, or other
security program.  What anti-virus program do you use??
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-eith....>http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-eith...

You also state:>I'm afraid to turn the other two desktops on

This may be part of the problem.  If the two desktops are the browser
infrastructure, and you leave them off, you should expect to get your errors>... the workgroup is not accessible.  You may not have permissions, etc.

<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-vis....>http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/irregularities-in-workgroup-vis...
- Show quoted text -

Thanks Chuck,  I use McAfee on all the machines.  The two desktops I
haven't turned on are not used very often and are off most of the
time.  Is it possible that one of them took over infrastructure duties
after connecting the new router?  To be honest, we are reaching into
areas I know little about.

I will also attempt to run Net View as suggested above (if I can
figure out how).  I guess I've been lucky because all the home
networks I've set up work with very little messing around.  I was not
prepared for this.

Bryan

Bryan,

Running browstat is the best way to find out what master browsers you have..  You
need to tune the master browser setup, and designate 1 (or 2) browsers that will
be computers on and online 7 x 24.

Check McAfee documentation very carefully, and look for an anti-worm component,
or similar.  That will act as a firewall, and block SMBs.  And if you put in a
new router, you may have a different subnet for the LAN, so check all IP
settings and update wherever necessary.

Read all posts cited above and below, as carefully as possible, and follow links
for details.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always...>http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/04/nt-browser-or-why-cant-i-always...

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My        email         is          AT         DOT
   actual       address    pchuck       mvps        org.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks to both Chuck and Robert,

Chuck I've been reading the extensive material on your blog and
learning quite a bit. I will gladly post the results of the browstat
and ipconfig tests on the PCs, but while running all the diagnostics,
I came upon the most simple and probably most telling one. PING. I
was working with the laptop and Desktop #2. The desktop can ping the
router, itself and the laptop successfully. The laptop can ping the
router, itself, but not the desktop. Doesn't this indicate that the
problem probably is with desktop #2?

During my evening of testing, I turned them on in alternating order,
verifying that the Master Browser moved from one to the other as would
be expected. When the Master Browser was on the laptop, I could open
the workgroup but not access the desktop. When the Master Browser was
on the Desktop, I couldn't even open the workgroup on the laptop.

I've checked my McAfee on both machines. I do not see any antiworm
protection. The firewall on both machines is Windows firewall and
file sharing is marked as an exception on both machines. The router
does have a provision for DMZ but it is not checked.

I explicitly enabled NetBT on both machines.

I'll post the diagnostics tomorrow if you want them, but am currently
most concerned that desktop #2 cannot be pinged.

What do you think?

Bryan
.

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