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Cannot access or ping worgroup computers protected wireless network

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by steve

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Hi, I unable to connect between two computers on a local home "workgroup" secured wireless network.
Machine (a) is running xp media centre 2002 sp2,
machine (b) is running xp home sp2.
Both machines nodes are set Node Types= Broadcast.
Network is wep enabled.
SYMPTOMS:

Both computer resides on a network.
? Both computer's are a member of the workgroup.
? No firewall is enabled on either computer ( windows firewall disabled)
? The computers cannot ping each other (times out), they can ping the router.
? NetBIOS over TCP/IP functionality is enabled.
(Cannot view other workgroup computers on the network.)
All I was asked to do was make a printer on one p.c. available to the other on a clients home network! it's got me baffled.

11 replies

by 1bn0

You mentioned Windows Firewall.
What about Norton Internet Security, Zone Alarm or some other product.

Is the workgroup name on each computer the same . IDENTICAL. Windows machines configured for workgroup mode will ignore other computers on the network unless at least one other machine is in the same workgroup. Once it sees a fellow workgroup member it will also admit to seeing other workgroups on the network that previously seemed invisible.

Is file and print sharing enabled on the computers?

by steve

Thanks 1bn0 for your response,

Norton Internet security was on one of the two p.c,s but is now uninstalled. As mentioned have disabled windows firewall. no other firewall.

The Windows Workgroup Name is now "WORKGROUP" on both computers, and the each are named differently.

File and Printer sharing are enabled on both computers.

Hope this makes it a little clearer. Rgards

by cookieorc

is DHCP enabled? If not make sure each computer is on the same subnet
example:
192.168.0.2
192.168.0.3
192.168.1.4 <---- Change to 192.168.0.4

Also do they both have access to the internet? Did you resart them both?

by 1bn0

I'm not sure about WMC but XPH defaults to Simplified FIle Sharing. I beleive the default is the folder is open to users of the local machine but network sharing is not enabled. You have to turn it on. If there is nothing being shared the machine doesn't broadcast to the network. Try to resolve the file sharing across the network first, make sure it is turnedon. Printing should follow once you resolve the issue.

by michael kassner

I humbly suggest that you step back to the fact that you can not ping one computer from the other. That reflects a deeper problem that needs to be resolved before worrying about file sharing.

How is the network setup and do you have any restrictive parameters on the router?

by steve

I mentioned the fact that I could not ping between computers to backup my comment that the computers where not availble in the workgroup.
Re the router I am returning to site on Monday and have already asked for the Username and password to be made available for me so that I can check the router settings and look for any possible problems there. I have also got hold of an identical router to setup on my home network to get familiar with it before returning on Monday.
Thanks for your response. Steve Buchanan

by michael kassner

The other suggestions will not be resolved until you can ping through the router and more than likely sharing will work once you can ping.

by steve

DHCP is enabled
Both computers are on the same subnet.
Both have access to the internet.
Have restarted both.
p.s. sorry for the delay replying had problems my end with cookies being blocked by PCTOOLS Spyware doctor. Sorted now.

by steve

I enabled simple file sharing on both computers.
I feel sure that once I have resolved the main issue of being able to see both the computers in the workgroup the printer problem will be resolved.
p.s. sorry for the delay in replying PCTOOL Spyware doctor had been causing me a problem blocking cookies. Thanks

by underdog966

Steve, 2 things:

XP Home networking is not like regular XP. Suggest you run the steps listed at Microsoft for setting up a XP Home network:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/813936

I think the 'File and Print Sharing' that is described in section 5 may help.

Yes, this is a very 'teaching networking to Grandma' article, but it hits all the points you should look at in troubleshooting your setup.

Secondly, and slightly 'off topic', you mentioned that your network is 'WEP Enabled'. I hope that you meant to say 'WPA Enabled'. If not, I can't stress enough that WEP is NOT SECURE. It can be cracked in about 5 minutes by anyone who has 3 of those minutes to download the tool. If your router and wireless clients don't support WPA, its time for an upgrade.

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