winxp and network places

[bobbybobbertson]

In a regular windows explorer session (not started by clicking on the "my network places" start menu icon or desktop icon), I do not have the choice to view the workgroup computers.

In windows 2k I was able to view them right from the "folders" listing on the left side of the explorer session. It was under "my network places"

To find other computers in windows XP, I have to either specifically search for them or open up an explorer session directly from the "my network places" icon.

I know I can "map network drives" but why doesn't the "entire network" icon show up under "my network places" anymore? (Acually sometime it does and other times it doesn't)

 

[cdogg]

Give us more detail on how your workgroup LAN is set up.

- Do you have a router/switch or hub connecting them?
- How many PC's and what OS's
- Are they sharing a broadband connection? If so, what are the WINS/DNS settings under the TCP/IP protocol?
- Are any of the PC's using NetBEUI? If so, uninstall it on any pc running it. It is a legacy protocol that should only be used in troubleshooting. Too many people are quick to suggest it, but TCP/IP is more efficient.


~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[smah]

Acutally it does, it's just further down the folder structure. Personally, I don't care for this either. In Windows Explorer, expand My Network Places, Entire Network, Microsoft Windows Network, then your workgroup name.

 

[bobbybobbertson]

cdogg,
I do have a Netgear router, and there are 4 PC's on the network. One is A linux server running SAMBA. Samba is configured as a client only and unhooking the computer from the network does not solve any problems.

smah,
That is just my problem. There is no Entire network below the Network places. Therefore I cannot get to them. Sometimes it does show up, sometimes it doesn't!! (However, I can always get to it if I go directly to the start menu Item, "My network places" and then click on "view workgroup computers". But this is inconvenient as it should be directly in the regular explorer session).


Also, Another thing that annoys me greatly, is that XP (and 2K) add any folder that you visit below "My network places". The list ends up getting long and cluttered. Its annoying. I only want folders to show up that I specifically map. Is there a setting that is automatically adding visited folders to the My Network places?

 

[joelu]

XP computer hidden from network places. I'm not sure how this is done. My server service is running. My policy for computer hidden is set to "no". Is there another service I should have running to be seen on the network? Also in Server Manager, the client is grayed out but it can be opened to look at the resources. Other clients are able to connect to it if they know the \\computername\sharename.
Any ideas?

 

[bcastner]

Check that Netbios over TCP/IP (the direct setting, not the default) is enabled under TCP/IP Properties, Advanced, WINS tab. Make sure that Client for Microsoft Networking and File and Printer sharing are enabled.

Then Start, Run, services.msc
Check that the Computer Browser, Workstation and Server services are all running.

Hiding a computer

Every 12 mins the Server Service will announce itself to the Master Browser on each protocol installed. If having a 1000 clients doing this on two protocols like the TCPIP- and Netbios-protocol, then it will lead to 10000 packets/hour.

One can stop this announcement / broadcasting by adding this DWORD value in the registry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SYSTEM \CurrentControlSet \Services \LanmanServer \Parameters]
Hidden = 1

One can also configure the machine not to show on the network using command line:
net config server /hidden:yes

Note it may take up to half an hour before being removed from the browser list and become invisible in the Network Neighborhood/My Network Places.

Source: Snakefoot

Remember too that any share in which the sharename ends in a dollar sign "$" is hidden.