Network Places Explore Problem: Cannot Connect

Question

I have had unfixable problems with XPS M2010 running Win XP MCE trying to access an Inspiron 8200 running Win XP Home (all machines fully Win updated, including IE 7.0).  30+ hours of On Call support including registry edits, installing Netbeui, LPX Protocol, configuring TCP/IP, ensuring file sharing, complete rebuild of network from the router on out, complete uninstall and removal (incl. using Norton removal tool) of firewalls; and, subsequently, reinstall to configure firewall and antivirus (Norton on Inspiron, Trend PC Cillin on XPS)--all to no avail.  At no point could I go to My Network Places, click on icon (which showed sometimes, but not all), and get error messages that Server Service was not running (though it was); or a series of similar denials.  Closest I ever got was being able to map a drive from the XPS to the Inspiron; but even this was undone by subsequent tech support.  At no point could I ever use Network Neighborhood to get from one machine to the other, though they would intermittently both show.  At the beginning, the machines could not even be pinged, but they can now; I just cannot get to to any shared folders (or drives).  Same error messages repeat.  At this point, Dell On Call has broken my cabled network connection on both machines through their configurations, though the wireless to the internet still works.  I regret that I am giving up and will likely return the XPS machine to Dell.  This kind of thing is equivalent to being asked to crank the handle on the front of your car to start it: Primitive and unsupportable.  I am motivated for it to work, but Dell has only made my circumstances incrementally worse.  What is going on with Dell?

mombodog · Answer

Do a properties on your Local Area Connection in my network places (you may have to hit 'view network connections on the left) on the general tab make sure there is NO TCPIP v6 installed if there is uninstall it, there should only be Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in there   Post back.

M1Rate · Answer

Good suggestion, but already done.  TCP/IP v6 is not on either machine.  Thanks for the suggestion, though.

mombodog · Answer

I have the a procedure to remove the TCPIP stack and reinstall it if you want it, not a repair but a complete removal and reinstall, using the registry

M1Rate · Answer

Is removing the TCP/IP stack the same as deleting Winsock (and Winsock2) from the registry?  If so, done that one, too (on the Inspiron).  Does that need to be done, also, on the new XPS machine?  Should it be done simultaneously with network rebuild at the same time?  Again, tx.

mombodog · Answer

Yes that is the procedure I spoke of No they do not need to be done at the same time. Make sure file sharing is turned on on both PC's

M1Rate · Answer

Thanks: File sharing is on, and files actually shared.  No joy, though...

M1Rate · Answer

Follow up: Just figured out what you were asking.  When changed to decimal, the value is 11.   Thanks!

mombodog · Answer

change the value to 16 Message Edited by mombodog on 12-21-200608:40 PM

M1Rate · Answer

Hi, Mombodog  Here is what I got:   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters   IRPStackSize  Type: Reg_Dword  Data: 0x0000000b(11)   Dbl clicking to open shows set to Hexadecimal (not Decimal), with value data 'b'.  What is that?   You seem to be suggesting a change to Decimal?  Tx for the feedback.

mombodog · Answer

One last thing to check on both machines

Regedit and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanS
erver\Parameters

In the right pane is there a value IRPStackSize ???? if there is do a Modify on it and change to base decimal view, what is that value??

Message Edited by mombodog on 12-21-200608:16 PM

coyote76 · Answer

I would imagine they checked this but you didn't mention it.  You're trying to access accounts with the same username/password combos on each machine or the guest account (if enabled), right?  What is the exact error you get when trying to connect from one machine to the other at this point?

mombodog · Answer

Coyote, you just jogged the ol memory, one of the machines is XP home, he needs to change the workroup name on that machine from mshome to workroup.   Dohh!

mombodog · Answer

When you reinstall on a Dell the drivers need to be installed in the following order or problems usually occur.     1. Chipset 2. Video 3. NIC 4. Sound 5. The rest   If you did not try installing the chipset driver again in safe mode, reboot into Windows and reinstall 2-3 Message Edited by mombodog on 12-23-200612:23 PM

M1Rate · Answer

Theh Guest accounts are both on, with no pw's. The error on the Inspiron is "Unexpected Network Error." On the XPS, "Workgroup cannot be found/accessed" or similar. At prior times, it was "Server Service could not be found" or similar on XPS, but made sure those were on.

The workgroup is identical on both machines (it has been rebuilt 4 times in the course of testing). The username and pw's for the accounts being used are identical. Using identically-configured Administrative accounts during testing.

Of note, the hardwire connection to the router and/or attached devices never works: No network or internet connectivity, and no recognition of, say, an external drive being plugged in. Also: What looks like the ethernet LAN connection always shows "unplugged" and is identified as "Bluetooth," which I find odd. Maybe the NIC card is bad?

Finally, I'm game to change the registry value to 16 from 11 at that location, but what is that intended to do? I would back up the registry, of course. But could you give me just a little bit more? Change on both machines?

Thanks, all, for your continued feedback and suggestions.

Message Edited by M1Rate on 12-23-200612:09 PM

Message Edited by M1Rate on 12-23-200612:22 PM

M1Rate · Answer

I've seen many state that a total wipe and reinstall is recommended with Dell, and presume that is where you are at with this suggestion.  I have an appointment with a Sr. Dell HW specialist this next week, and will look at that option, then.  Any thoughts on whether the NIC card is bad?  I do not know if any network/internet connection would be possible if so.  Networking stuff is not my strong , but the LA Connection and plugged-in status non-recognition seems ominous.  Much appreciate all the great advice.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Network Places Explore Problem: Cannot Connect

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