Cannot see 1 of 3 computers

Computer A (new main) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer B (old) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer C (laptop) wirelessly connected to D-Link Router

"All" computers can see Computer B & C in Network Places and can share files
and B & C can see and use printers on Computer A.

All computers running XP with SP2, except Computer B doesn't have SP2 (won't
update properly -- but B works fine).

However, "nobody" can see Computer A in Network Places.

Any thoughts -- this is driving me crazy -- trying to move files around.
--
Ron Smith in Round Rock

Hi
May be this can Help.
Read first the whole page (I.e. resist the urge to click on any of the
links).
Once you understand the general scope start to investigate the links that
concern your specific setting.
Link to: http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
Jack (MVP-Networking).


"Ron Smith" wrote in message
...
Computer A (new main) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer B (old) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer C (laptop) wirelessly connected to D-Link Router

"All" computers can see Computer B & C in Network Places and can share
files
and B & C can see and use printers on Computer A.

All computers running XP with SP2, except Computer B doesn't have SP2
(won't
update properly -- but B works fine).

However, "nobody" can see Computer A in Network Places.

Any thoughts -- this is driving me crazy -- trying to move files around.
--
Ron Smith in Round Rock

In article , Ron
Smith wrote:
Computer A (new main) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer B (old) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer C (laptop) wirelessly connected to D-Link Router

"All" computers can see Computer B & C in Network Places and can share files
and B & C can see and use printers on Computer A.

All computers running XP with SP2, except Computer B doesn't have SP2 (won't
update properly -- but B works fine).

However, "nobody" can see Computer A in Network Places.

Any thoughts -- this is driving me crazy -- trying to move files around.

Run the Network Setup Wizard on Computer A (and only on that computer,
even if the Wizard tells you otherwise), and tell it that the computer
connects to the Internet through a residential gateway. That will
create a shared documents folder that should appear in My Network
Places on all of the computers. You can right-click and share any
other desired disks and folders.

Shares don't always appear immediately, though. If they don't, access
Computer A from one of the others by typing A's actual computer name
in the Start | Run box in this format:

\\comptuerA
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve, Didn't get the question/option for "computer connects to the Internet
through a residential gateway". I have run the Network Setup Wizard on the
other computers in the past, and nothing seems to change (by the way, Network
Setup Wizard won't run on the laptop -- double click it and nothing
happens?). Your \\computerA is interesting -- I marked a folder shared on
Computer A, and it shows up on Computer B after //computerA, but only in a
separate window -- nothing shows up in Network Places.

--
Ron

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote:

In article , Ron
Smith wrote:
Computer A (new main) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer B (old) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer C (laptop) wirelessly connected to D-Link Router

"All" computers can see Computer B & C in Network Places and can share files
and B & C can see and use printers on Computer A.

All computers running XP with SP2, except Computer B doesn't have SP2 (won't
update properly -- but B works fine).

However, "nobody" can see Computer A in Network Places.

Any thoughts -- this is driving me crazy -- trying to move files around.

Run the Network Setup Wizard on Computer A (and only on that computer,
even if the Wizard tells you otherwise), and tell it that the computer
connects to the Internet through a residential gateway. That will
create a shared documents folder that should appear in My Network
Places on all of the computers. You can right-click and share any
other desired disks and folders.

Shares don't always appear immediately, though. If they don't, access
Computer A from one of the others by typing A's actual computer name
in the Start | Run box in this format:

\\comptuerA
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

In article , Ron
Smith wrote:
Computer A (new main) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer B (old) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer C (laptop) wirelessly connected to D-Link Router

"All" computers can see Computer B & C in Network Places and can share files
and B & C can see and use printers on Computer A.

All computers running XP with SP2, except Computer B doesn't have SP2 (won't
update properly -- but B works fine).

However, "nobody" can see Computer A in Network Places.

Any thoughts -- this is driving me crazy -- trying to move files around.

Run the Network Setup Wizard on Computer A (and only on that computer,
even if the Wizard tells you otherwise), and tell it that the computer
connects to the Internet through a residential gateway. That will
create a shared documents folder that should appear in My Network
Places on all of the computers. You can right-click and share any
other desired disks and folders.

Shares don't always appear immediately, though. If they don't, access
Computer A from one of the others by typing A's actual computer name
in the Start | Run box in this format:

\\comptuerA

Steve, Didn't get the question/option for "computer connects to the Internet
through a residential gateway". I have run the Network Setup Wizard on the
other computers in the past, and nothing seems to change (by the way, Network
Setup Wizard won't run on the laptop -- double click it and nothing
happens?).

If the Wizard shows a screen saying "Do you want to use the shared
connection?", then it's already set up to use the router. In that
case, click "Yes, use the existing shared connection for this
computer's Internet access (recommended)".

Otherwise, select the Wizard's connection option "This computer
connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or through
another computer on my network or through a residential gateway".

Your \\computerA is interesting -- I marked a folder shared on
Computer A, and it shows up on Computer B after //computerA, but only in a
separate window -- nothing shows up in Network Places.

That's exactly what should happen. You can access the share through
the new window. To make the shared folder appear in My Network
Places, you can either:

1. Click "Add a network place" and follow the prompts to create a
shortcut to it.

or:

2. Drag and drop the shared folder from the new Window into My Network
Places.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve, no, I can't get any of your suggestions to work -- and seem to be
digressing -- now the Run \\computerA command on Computer B doesn't even work
any more -- getting "The network path was not found". Should I be able to
see Computer A under Network Places on Computer A (Computer B & C always see
themselves under Network Places). This should't be this hard should it --
the other computers just fell into place. I will mention that under Entire
Network on Computers B & C, I see entries for MS Terminal Services, MS
Windows Network and Web Client Network, whereas on Computer A, I only see the
MS Windows Network entry under the Entire Network.
--
Ron

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" wrote:

In article , Ron
Smith wrote:
Computer A (new main) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer B (old) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer C (laptop) wirelessly connected to D-Link Router

"All" computers can see Computer B & C in Network Places and can share files
and B & C can see and use printers on Computer A.

All computers running XP with SP2, except Computer B doesn't have SP2 (won't
update properly -- but B works fine).

However, "nobody" can see Computer A in Network Places.

Any thoughts -- this is driving me crazy -- trying to move files around.

Run the Network Setup Wizard on Computer A (and only on that computer,
even if the Wizard tells you otherwise), and tell it that the computer
connects to the Internet through a residential gateway. That will
create a shared documents folder that should appear in My Network
Places on all of the computers. You can right-click and share any
other desired disks and folders.

Shares don't always appear immediately, though. If they don't, access
Computer A from one of the others by typing A's actual computer name
in the Start | Run box in this format:

\\comptuerA

Steve, Didn't get the question/option for "computer connects to the Internet
through a residential gateway". I have run the Network Setup Wizard on the
other computers in the past, and nothing seems to change (by the way, Network
Setup Wizard won't run on the laptop -- double click it and nothing
happens?).

If the Wizard shows a screen saying "Do you want to use the shared
connection?", then it's already set up to use the router. In that
case, click "Yes, use the existing shared connection for this
computer's Internet access (recommended)".

Otherwise, select the Wizard's connection option "This computer
connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or through
another computer on my network or through a residential gateway".

Your \\computerA is interesting -- I marked a folder shared on
Computer A, and it shows up on Computer B after //computerA, but only in a
separate window -- nothing shows up in Network Places.

That's exactly what should happen. You can access the share through
the new window. To make the shared folder appear in My Network
Places, you can either:

1. Click "Add a network place" and follow the prompts to create a
shortcut to it.

or:

2. Drag and drop the shared folder from the new Window into My Network
Places.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

In article , Ron
Smith wrote:
Your \\computerA is interesting -- I marked a folder shared on
Computer A, and it shows up on Computer B after //computerA, but only in a
separate window -- nothing shows up in Network Places.

That's exactly what should happen. You can access the share through
the new window. To make the shared folder appear in My Network
Places, you can either:

1. Click "Add a network place" and follow the prompts to create a
shortcut to it.

or:

2. Drag and drop the shared folder from the new Window into My Network
Places.

Steve, no, I can't get any of your suggestions to work -- and seem to be
digressing -- now the Run \\computerA command on Computer B doesn't even work
any more -- getting "The network path was not found". Should I be able to
see Computer A under Network Places on Computer A (Computer B & C always see
themselves under Network Places). This should't be this hard should it --
the other computers just fell into place. I will mention that under Entire
Network on Computers B & C, I see entries for MS Terminal Services, MS
Windows Network and Web Client Network, whereas on Computer A, I only see the
MS Windows Network entry under the Entire Network.

The network browsing function is apparently messed up, and I see that
Chuck is working with you to get it fixed.

Make sure that a firewall on A isn't blocking access.

In the meantime, try manually creating a shortcut in My Network Places
on B or C. Click "Add a network place" and specify the network
address in the format \\computer\share. Then, click the shortcut and
see what happens.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

On Wed, 2 Mar 2005 09:05:06 -0800, Ron Smith
wrote:

Computer A (new main) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer B (old) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer C (laptop) wirelessly connected to D-Link Router

"All" computers can see Computer B & C in Network Places and can share files
and B & C can see and use printers on Computer A.

All computers running XP with SP2, except Computer B doesn't have SP2 (won't
update properly -- but B works fine).

However, "nobody" can see Computer A in Network Places.

Any thoughts -- this is driving me crazy -- trying to move files around.

Ron,

For any system running Windows XP SP2, check Windows Firewall, and make sure the
File and Printer Sharing exception is enabled. Any third party firewalls? Make
sure they're properly configured too.

Next check for a browser conflict between the computers. I"m not talking about
Internet Explorer here. The browser is the program that allows any computer to
see any other computer on the LAN. For a 3 computer LAN, you need the browser
running on just 2 of them.

Identify the 2 computers that stay online the most, and make sure the browser
service is running on them. Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services.
Verify that the Computer Browser, and the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper, services both
show with Status = Started. Stop, then Disable the browser service on the other
computer.

After checking / disabling / enabling as above, power all computers off to reset
the browser settings on each. Then power all back on again.

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers (I'm not talking about
Internet Explorer here) you have in your domain / workgroup, at any time.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

You can download Browstat from either:
http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip
http://rescomp.stanford.edu/staff/manual/rcc/tools/browstat.zip

Browstat is very small (40K), and needs no install. Just unzip the downloaded
file, copy browstat.exe to any folder in the Path, and run it from a command
window, by "browstat status". Make sure all computers list the same master
browser.
For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=231312
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win95/w95brows.mspx

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

Chuck, The Computer Browser is not running on Computer B -- just says manual
-- don't know why. Was I also supposed to stop the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper on
B -- it is running -- couldn't really tell from your response. Computer
Browser and TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper is running on Computer A & C. Also, it
looks like you have to go to Properties to disable -- is that right --
anyway, I didn't disable the Computer Browser on Computer B since it was not
started -- I did reboot Computer B -- no change.

"Chuck" wrote:

On Wed, 2 Mar 2005 09:05:06 -0800, Ron Smith
wrote:

Computer A (new main) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer B (old) computer ethernet connected to D-Link Router
Computer C (laptop) wirelessly connected to D-Link Router

"All" computers can see Computer B & C in Network Places and can share files
and B & C can see and use printers on Computer A.

All computers running XP with SP2, except Computer B doesn't have SP2 (won't
update properly -- but B works fine).

However, "nobody" can see Computer A in Network Places.

Any thoughts -- this is driving me crazy -- trying to move files around.

Ron,

For any system running Windows XP SP2, check Windows Firewall, and make sure the
File and Printer Sharing exception is enabled. Any third party firewalls? Make
sure they're properly configured too.

Next check for a browser conflict between the computers. I"m not talking about
Internet Explorer here. The browser is the program that allows any computer to
see any other computer on the LAN. For a 3 computer LAN, you need the browser
running on just 2 of them.

Identify the 2 computers that stay online the most, and make sure the browser
service is running on them. Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services.
Verify that the Computer Browser, and the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper, services both
show with Status = Started. Stop, then Disable the browser service on the other
computer.

After checking / disabling / enabling as above, power all computers off to reset
the browser settings on each. Then power all back on again.

The Microsoft Browstat program will show us what browsers (I'm not talking about
Internet Explorer here) you have in your domain / workgroup, at any time.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305

You can download Browstat from either:
http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/browstat.zip
http://rescomp.stanford.edu/staff/manual/rcc/tools/browstat.zip

Browstat is very small (40K), and needs no install. Just unzip the downloaded
file, copy browstat.exe to any folder in the Path, and run it from a command
window, by "browstat status". Make sure all computers list the same master
browser.
For more information about the browser subsystem (very intricate), see:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188001
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=188305
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=231312
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/win95/w95brows.mspx

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

On Wed, 2 Mar 2005 12:31:16 -0800, Ron Smith
wrote:

Chuck, The Computer Browser is not running on Computer B -- just says manual
-- don't know why. Was I also supposed to stop the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper on
B -- it is running -- couldn't really tell from your response. Computer
Browser and TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper is running on Computer A & C. Also, it
looks like you have to go to Properties to disable -- is that right --
anyway, I didn't disable the Computer Browser on Computer B since it was not
started -- I did reboot Computer B -- no change.

Ron,

Stopping the Browser service is sufficient. Which computers is it running on
now? What results do you get from "browstat status" on all 3 computers? Did
you power all 3 computers off?

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

Chuck, Yes, I did a complete "Power Off" (just did re-boots earlier) and
still no change. Browstat doesn't seem to want to run. I downloaded it, but
when i run it, a Command Window pops up and goes away so fast I can't see
anything in the window. Still don't have a clue as to why Computer A is not
seen on the Home Computing network. (One somewhat thing is: under Entire
Network (under My Network Places) on Computer A, I only see one entry
(Microsoft Windows Network) whereas on the other 2 visable networked
computers (B & C), under Entire Computer, I see 3 entries (MS Terminal
Services, MS Windows Network, and Web Client Network) -- don't know what any
of these do except that I do see the MSHOME network under the MS Windows
Network entry.
--
Ron

"Chuck" wrote:

On Wed, 2 Mar 2005 12:31:16 -0800, Ron Smith
wrote:

Chuck, The Computer Browser is not running on Computer B -- just says manual
-- don't know why. Was I also supposed to stop the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper on
B -- it is running -- couldn't really tell from your response. Computer
Browser and TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper is running on Computer A & C. Also, it
looks like you have to go to Properties to disable -- is that right --
anyway, I didn't disable the Computer Browser on Computer B since it was not
started -- I did reboot Computer B -- no change.

Ron,

Stopping the Browser service is sufficient. Which computers is it running on
now? What results do you get from "browstat status" on all 3 computers? Did
you power all 3 computers off?

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.

On Wed, 2 Mar 2005 13:37:05 -0800, Ron Smith
wrote:

Chuck, Yes, I did a complete "Power Off" (just did re-boots earlier) and
still no change. Browstat doesn't seem to want to run. I downloaded it, but
when i run it, a Command Window pops up and goes away so fast I can't see
anything in the window. Still don't have a clue as to why Computer A is not
seen on the Home Computing network. (One somewhat thing is: under Entire
Network (under My Network Places) on Computer A, I only see one entry
(Microsoft Windows Network) whereas on the other 2 visable networked
computers (B & C), under Entire Computer, I see 3 entries (MS Terminal
Services, MS Windows Network, and Web Client Network) -- don't know what any
of these do except that I do see the MSHOME network under the MS Windows
Network entry.

Ron,

Try running browstat from a command window / MS-DOS Prompt (Start - Run - "cmd")
or (Programs - Accessories).

Please provide ipconfig information for each computer.
Start - Run - "cmd". Type "ipconfig /all c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command
window - Open c:\ipconfig.txt in Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is
NOT checked!, copy and paste entire contents into your next post. Identify
operating system (by name, version, and SP level) with each ipconfig listing.

--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.