Home Network Problems

Question

Hi,   I have a new Dell Dimension 9100 with an Intel Pro/100 VE Network card and I am trying to connect to my old computer which has a U.S. Robotics 10/100 7900 Network card in it.  I have connected the two together on a peer to peer basis with a crossover cable.  Both computers have been setup using the network setup wizard in Windows XP.  Both show that the network is connected.  I have Broadband connected to my old computer and this is shared with my new computer, so I can use the internet etc.. over the network connection.  What I am unable to do is share my files, which was the main reason for setting up the network.   I have tried pinging each computer, when I do this on my new computer it reports that everything is fine and the data is sent.  When I do this on my old computer the request times out.  Does this indicate a problem with my new or old computer?  Why should there be an error in file sharing but not with internet connection sharing?  Please could you advise on how to solve?   Thank you in advance for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.   Regards, Matthew Hoyland

MRF4700 · Answer

mach1uk Most computers experiencing file sharing problems have misconfigured software firewalls. If you have a third party program installed on your computers (Norton Internet Security, McAfee, etc.) this may be the source of your trouble as Windows XP comes with a Windows firewall program. This firewall conflict often wreaks havoc on network configurations...

mach1uk · Answer

Thanks for your reply.   I think I have now sorted it.  Found a firewall setting on my new PC.  Thanks for your help. Matt Message Edited by mach1uk on 10-23-2005 12:30 PM

PatKHouTX · Answer

we have just installed a new dimension 3000 xp professional system to network a parallel printer to 3 other workstations.  this new box will not allow access by the other users.  we have turned off the windows firewall in favor of the norton protection (cannot see an option to choose network playnice on the norton tools).  ran the wizard on each of the machines (were all 3 talking nicely before the new 3000 was brought in) including the new 3000.  ran the network connection wizard to establish that no domain is being used for this network, and still no access.  we are on a router, and were having no access or connectivity issues.  the exact message is 'workgroup is not accessible.  you might not have permissions to use this network resource.  contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access persmission.  the list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available'  .  i am the administrator, and have looked at all options i can find to allow access.  any suggestions? thank you

MRF4700 · Answer

PatKHouTX If, this is the factory installed Norton Internet Security 2005 edition on your 3000, you need to configure this software firewall to recognize your network. Follow the network configuration instructions in the User Manual that you can access from the Programs menu. This is separate from the Windows Network Setup Wizard. Have we already established that all 4 systems have the same workgroup name?

volcano11 · Answer

In 99.99% of the cases when you get that message it is because the firewall is not properly configured to allow network access. To find out if this is the case for your situtation, completely disable all firewalls on the 3000. Sometimes it is even necessary to completely uninstall the firewall program. Once you have determined that the firewall is the problem, then you can work on getting it configured so that it works properly.

Steve

PatKHouTX · Answer

Yes, this is a factory installed Norton program.  Also, yes, we confirmed all workgroup machines have the same workgroup name, as well as all being new dells within past 18 months.  I clicked on start menu, all programs, but do not see a user manual under norton or in any of the programs with subfolders, like accessories.  There is an owners manual for the machine on the desktop, but only addressing the hardware.  Thank you for your suggestions.  I'm sure once found, this configuration will help.

PatKHouTX · Answer

After clicking around a while, I finally found the instructions and have successfully configured the firewall to accept the other machines to playnice.  Thank you for the suggestions.

apple91981 · Answer

I'm having an issue where I have two Dell computers (the new one is an XPS m140 laptop, the other is a dimension desktop about 1.5 years old) that won't seem to network.  The primary reason I want to network is to share the one printer I have that's hooked up to the desktop.  I've run the network wizard on both computers and when I try to view computers on my network from the laptop, the only computer shown under the network name is the laptop and the same goes for the desktop, the only comp shown is the desktop.  I'm at a complete loss as to what the issue is...I know it's not a hardware issue as I've had the desktop networked to my previous laptop (an HP).  Any thoughts?  sidenote...the latop is being connected wirelessly, this shouldn't be a problem should it?

volcano11 · Answer

apple,

First, please note that with a new problem it iw always better to start a new thread than to tack your problem onto the end of an existing thread. If the following doesn't help, then I suggest you start your own thread.

The most common cause of the problem is imporperly configured fiewalls. On any computer running Windows XP with SP1, disable the Windows XP firewall. It will not allow File and Printer Sharing. On computers running Windows XP with SP2, make sure that the Windows XP firewall has File and Printer Sharing checked off on the Exceptions tab. If you are running any third party firewalls, like those provided by such programs as Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security, or McAfee Security Suite, make sure they are configured to allow local network traffic.

Steve

Message Edited by volcano11 on 02-19-2006 07:52 AM

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Home Network Problems

Was this post helpful?