UNSOLVED
R
Richardatbolton
2 Posts
0
6613
November 20th, 2007 20:00
Wired LAN Problem
Hi Everyone,
I have a new Inspiron 530 with Vista Home Premium. I also have an old computer running
Windows Millenium Edition (ME). Each computer is connected by wired ethernet to a BT Home
Hub which has two wired ethernet ports. The hub provides a broadband connection for each
computer and this works correctly.
My problem is that the local area network only works very occasionally and I do not know
what makes it work or what stops it. When it is working I have been able to see the shared
directory structure, computer names etc and to copy files.
The ME computer has a Zone Alarm Firewall (Windows ME is no longer supported by Zone Labs).
I have added the Vista computer's IP address and subnet mask to the trusted zone. The
Internet Zone security is set to high (stealth mode) and the trusted zone security is set
to medium (sharing mode). The LAN problem still exists if the firewall is stopped and I no
longer get warnings of intrusions from the Dell computer - so perhaps the settings are
correct.
The Dell Computer has Norton Internet Security and it shows the ME computer IP address in
the trusted zone - I did not have to add this setting.
I have turned off the Windows Media Centre sharing and this setting remains on start-up.
On start-up the Intel Viiv Media Server is always started. When the LAN is not working,
the ME computer can see the Intel Media Server but not the Dell computer. If I stop and
start the Intel Server, the ME computer Network Neighbourhood display updates correctly.
Looking at the network from the Dell using the Windows network command (when the LAN it is
not working), the BT Home Hub appears as two different devices, one the broadband
connection and the other the ethernet hub, the properties of the ethernet hub show the ME
computer as connected. The Dell computer and the Intel server are also shown, but the ME
computer is not shown.
Looking at the network from the Dell using the Intel Viiv Software, the manage network
command builds a correct picture of the network, but does not find the name of the ME
computer, though it shows an unknown device with the correct IP address - but I have edited
in the name and type so the diagram now looks correct.
Windows Troubleshooting thinks the network is working but I cannot use it because the
remote computers with their shares do not appear in the network list.
The ping command works correctly from either computer and internet access is available on
both computers so on the face of it the LAN should be working.
I have run out of ideas of what to try - can anyone help?
Richardatbolton
2 Posts
120
0
Posted November 21st, 2007 12:00
Steve, many thanks for your very helpful suggestion.The good news is that I now have a reliable sequence to start-up and the problem isidentified as being with the Norton Internet Security software or me not knowing how to setit up.I've checked the IP addresses after several reboots and the computers always get the sameIP addresses.The following start-up sequence works:1. Boot the ME Computer before the Dell.2. Turn off the Norton Firewall.3. Open the network list.4. Restart the Norton Filewall.
Richard- Norton often makes things complicated. Since I stopped using these products years ago, I don't have a lot of experience in fixing the problems they create. You now have a work-around, but I hope you can find some way to make everything work the way it is supposed to. Good luck and thanks for letting us know about this work-around.Steve
volcano11
2 Intern
•
27973 Posts
120
0
Posted November 20th, 2007 23:00