Networking help needed

Question

I have a home network that has included 2 to 3 computers at times.  I currently have 2 desktop computers connected via cat5 to a linksys 4 port router.  The router is connected to SBC DSL broadband.  The 2 desktops have Windows XP home edition.  They are connected for File Sharing and for Printer sharing and for internet connection and they work flawlessly.  I had purchased a Sony laptop over a month ago that I was unhappy with and had a bad DVD -r so I returned it.  It also had Windows XP home and connected very easily to this network with no problems after using the network configuration utility.  I replaced this laptop with a Dell i8600 with Windows XP PRO.  I am overall thrilled with this computer!  But I cannot get it to file share with my computers over the network.  It does, however, connect to the internet just fine.  I am only using the Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller and not he wireless card so far. So here is where I need help. I am connecting to the internet through the router just fine. I cannot see the other computers or printeres on my network. all the computers are configured with the following:  Client for Microsoft Networks/ File and Printer Sharing/ QOS packet Scheduler/ Internet Protocal (TCP/IP) All have been configured withe the network configuration utility a number of times in te same way with matching Workgroup names and different computer names, none conflicting.  My 2 desktops connect just fine.  But I still cannot connect my Dell i8600 and see the other files on my network. Is this a Windows XP Pro issue? Please help

jmwills · Answer

Check to see that the XP Firewall is not engaged on the new machine and also that NetBios over TCP/IP is enabled under the Advanced Properties Tab.

maggie99635 · Answer

Are you using simple file sharing or is it disabled? Look in Folder Options of Pro. You have to enable the Guest account (with password) if you are using simple filesharing. Check your bindings also in Network Connections folder Advanced>advanced settings.

You might have to disable simple filesharing in Pro it can be a pita with it enabled.

todd33 · Answer

Thanks, I tried that but I still am unable to get it to work.

jmwills · Answer

You may have configured the File Sharing feature for the NIC but unless you actually share the drive with something other than the C$ share, it will still be invisible to the LAN.  It sounds like all you need to do is Right Click the drive in question and establish the new share and grant permissions.

todd33 · Answer

O.k.

thanks for all the replies. I have tried all of them and still to no avail, i am not connecting. I have tried pinging the computers through the router. The ping works from the laptop, but will not work from either deesktop to the laptop with XP PRO. This has to be a hardware problem or a XP PRO issue?

Please help

jmwills · Answer

Is NetBios over TCP/IP enabled in the Advanced Properties Tab for TCP/IP. This is not a Pro issue and is either a configuration with your wireless card or some setting on the router.

www.homenethelp.conm is a good resource and at this point I would have you remove all the networking protocols from the laptop and start over. Remove the NIC and reboot which will cause you to re-install everything related to networking. About 10 minutes work at worst.

todd33 · Answer

I did it! I went to the Home Networking site you gave me as a reference and followed everthing, then read through all the forums. I did everything... then, I deleted File and Printer sharing for windows and re-installed it, rebooted and whamo! It worked. I know I had done this before but for whatever reason it didn't work, I think I ran the XP network wizard after that the first time and it will change it not to work.
Thanks for all your help and time,
Happy Holidays
Todd

maggie99635 · Answer

That's great! Feels good when everything is working.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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