XP networking problem

[Dbyte]

I am trying to setup a peer-to-peer LAN in XP Home (using a hub) for 2 PCs to share files & printers. Each has its own Internet connection (via dialup). I have run the Network Setup wizard on each, made sure they have valid IPs (192.168.1.1 & 192.168.1.2), are in the same subnet (255.255.255.0). I can ping both IPs from each location. NetBIOS is enabled within the TCP/IP settings. Simple file/printer sharing is enabled on both machines. The workgroup name is "Office", & each PC has a unique network ID. There is only 1 user on each PC, & they have admin privileges.

Neither PC can access anything on the other, or even browse them at all. I get the following error message when I try to view the workgroup: ""Office" is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions"

Where are the access permissions setup? I thought simple file/printer sharing handled this? How can I view these permissions & make changes to them?

Thanks in advance for any help,
-Dysappear

 

[Comtech]

Disable the XP firewall, and set up an account on each machine that corresponds to the user account on the other.
Then go into Explorer, and share some files/folders/drives. Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[Dbyte]

Comtech,
Sorry, I forgot to mention that I had already disabled the XP firewall on both PCs, & that I had enabled sharing of printers & the My Documents folder on them as well.

I added the 2 accounts just as you said. For ~40 minutes I could share the printer of 1 PC but not the other(?). Now I am getting a message telling me that the "Office" network is not accessible at all. This happens with both usernames, on both machines.

F@#k this. I am going to start over from the very beginning. Can someone point me to an online document that will clearly indicate EVERY SINGLE STEP in creating a peer-to-peer network between 2 PCs that want to share files & printers without any security whatsoever in place. This document should not make ANY assumptions regarding PC configurations or my own ineptitude. And it needs to be complete. "Use the M$ wizard" doesn't cut it, as that's precisely how I got here in the first place.

Thanks,
-Dysappear

 

[Comtech]

http://www.homenethelp.com

Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[Riecko]

Try looking at this link.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/gettingstarted/guide/configconnect.asp

 

[Freestone]

You could try eliminating the hub and existing wiring as possible causes of your grief by directly connecting your 2 PCs via a cross-over CAT5 cable...you never know

 

[Dbyte]

Okay, now I have the following:
PC1 - XP Home
PC2 - XP Home
PC3 - 98SE

Each PC has it's own unique IP (same subnet though), unique network ID, firewall disabled, file/print sharing enabled, NetBIOS over TCP/IP enabled. Windows OS updated on all boxes with latest patches/etc. There are no hosts/servers on this network; each PC is a peer to the other 2.

PC1 can ping itself, but cannot be pinged from either PC2 or PC3. In network connections (network neighborhood on 98SE box) an icon shows for PC1 on both PC2 & PC3, but cannot drill down at all. When I try to do this from PC2 or PC3 I get the usual "PC1 is unavailable..." message. The problem clearly is with PC1, but I am at a loss as to what it may be. Any ideas?

-Dysappear

 

[Comtech]

Is there corresponding usernames and passwords on all the computers?
Simple way around this is to install NETBEUI on all 3. Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[Freestone]

If it's practical, try another CAT5 cable from PC1 to the hub, and perhaps a different port on the hub. I once spent a few hours troubleshooting a 3 PC peer network with symptoms similar to yours - the troubled PC would show up but couldn't be browsed, or it'd be in the network one minute then disappear the next. Turned out to be the CAT5 cable from the PC to the LinkSys switch was bad; pairing was correct per a cable tester, but the cable was NOT wired to CAT5 B standards...

Also, double check your IP settings on PC1 for correct subnet and subnet mask settings.

You mentioned a hub. Could it be that PC1's NIC is trying to auto-negotiate speed and duplex with the hub and failing?

 

[smah]

If PC1 can access the other machines or get out to the internet, I'm still going to go with a firewall on PC1. Are you sure there are no other firewalls installed? Some versions of virus scanning software also install a firewall component.

 

[anegg]

Seems that i have almost same problem. I'm using a router to connect to the internet through ADSL. Before the router is connected to the internet, we were able to share our files. Since the router is connected, we're unable to share file anymore. The error message is the same as dysappear. I tried several options in wizard, but unable to solve it.
In some situations, eg. when one of the host has an user account, i can access it's shared files by using it's password. Another case is that, of of the pc on the network can access mine but i can't access it.
Since i'm just a home user, i'm not experieced.

 

[brucewallen]

Do you get a link light on th ehub for all 3 PC's

 

[Dbyte]

To answer your questions:
1. Freestone - PC1's cable works fine, as does its port on the hub. I switched them to another PC & voila, it was viewable on the network. I confirmed the IP & subnet settings are correct via pinging from the other 2 PCs. I will look into your point about the NIC auto-negotiating connections speeds.
2. smah - I am certain that all 3 machines are not running the firewall feature. Win98SE doesn't have it, & it's unchecked on the 2 XP machines. Each PC has its own dial-up connection to the Web, so there is no "shared internet access".
3. anegg - I don't have a shared internet connection (see above), so we are not exactly alike. Also, your mention of password-based issues sounds different from me, in that this network has no security measures built into it (sad but true). We are a simple non-profit (read: no $), so no such things are needed or wanted by upper mgmt.
4. brucewallen - The hub is working fine. I can switch ports/cables between PCs without any change (better or worse) in connectivity.

Thanks for all your input folks. I will continue to hammer away @ this until it is fixed, & will post my findings if/when a resolution is reached. In the meantime any further suggestions are always appreciated.

-Dysappear

 

[wolluf]

dysappear,

Are you sure the hub is fine? (I ask, as it appears you've never actually had this network working properly). If you get hold of a crossover CAT5 cable, you could test 2 of the machines on a direct connection (and if that works, you could try the other 2 'pairs' of connections). If that did work - it would point to the hub (for me).

btw - I find

http://www.wown.com

a reasonable network reference site.

PS. You do seem to have configured everything correctly as far as I can see.