XP Workgroup, 1 of 3 PCs won't network

User: inactive Posts:

2 of the 3 xp pcs hardwired via a router workgroup see each other. 1 won't network, and it cannot ping its own ip address. I've performed the basic troubleshooting steps and turned off Zone Alarm Security Suite. That 1 PC will connect to the Internet just fine, but not to the workgroup.

Rons · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 5667

Welcome to the forum.

Problem PC - have you confirmed it has a different name than the others on the workgroup?

Let us know.

User: inactive Posts:

Here's the extent to which I've been able to troubleshoot the issue (I'm not a NetAdm or SysAdm)

--Each PC has the same Workgroup name and its own PC name.

-->ping 192.168.1.105 shows no results for my IP and this is confirmed by running Network Diagnostics via System Information which shows "Failure" in that one line item under the Network Adapters category, everything else looks fine on that detailed report. I can ping the other 2 pcs on the network. Seems like TCP/IP is not enabled.

-->ipconfig /all shows "unknown node type" and "no" IP routing enabled, DHCP is enabled, Autoconfiguration is enabled, identifies my network adapter, PERHAPS SHOULD BE MANUAL TCP/IP PROTOCOL INSTEAD OF AUTOMATICALLY OBTAIN IP ADDRESSES?

--I disabled but did not uninstall Zone Alarm Security Suite (it has the network IP set correctly and is set to "Trusted") for all PCs and made sure XP's firewall was not enabled.

--I reran the Network Setup Wizard repeatedly, all pcs allow printer and file sharing.

-->ipconfig /release >ipconfig /flushdns >ipconfig /clear >ipconfig /renew

-->ping 192.168.1.1 works (my gateway)

--Explorer Address Bar: \\JEFFPC shows the partitions I'm enabled to be seen on the network (Properties/Sharing/"Share This Folder on the Network"). And the Windows Network Workgroup shows those partitions as well.

--System Properties shows the correct computer and network name.

--Services enabled: Client For Microsoft Networks, File And Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks, QoS Packet Scheduler, Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Workstation, Server, TCP/IP NetBios Helper, Computer Browser, Network Connections.

--Automatically Search for Network Folders and Printers is enabled in the Explorer Folder Options

-->Net User Guest is active

--Uninstalled and reinstalled the Network Adapter driver. IT’S A REALTEK, AUGUST 2001 VINTAGE.

--HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\ restrictanonymous = 0

Rons · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 5667

I'd try updating the driver for the Realtek card.

LINK

User: inactive Posts:

--The latest July 2006 Realtek LAN adapter driver is now installed. Nothing changed. I don't know anything else to try except for totally uninstalling Zone Alarm instead of just disabling it.

--2 of 3 XP PCs in the workgroup can access each other’s shared folders.

--The 3rd PC, “JEFFPC”, is listed in the workgroup list on “BENPC” and “FAMILYPC”. But when you click on “JEFFPC” the standard message appears: “COMPUTER NOT ACCESSIBLE…Network path not found.”

--The workgroup list on “JEFFPC” only shows itself.

-->ping 192.168.1.105 shows no results for “JEFFPC” IP address, and this is confirmed by running Network Diagnostics via System Information which shows "Failure" in that one line item under the Network Adapters category, everything else looks fine on that detailed report. Seems like TCP/IP is not enabled.

-->ipconfig /all shows "NODE TYPE: unknown" and “IP Routing Enabled: no", DHCP is enabled, Autoconfiguration is enabled, identifies my network adapter, PERHAPS SHOULD BE MANUAL TCP/IP PROTOCOL INSTEAD OF AUTOMATICALLY OBTAIN IP ADDRESSES?

--I disabled but did not uninstall Zone Alarm Security Suite (it has the network IP set correctly and is set to "Trusted") for all PCs and made sure XP's firewall was not enabled.

--I reran the Network Setup Wizard repeatedly, all pcs allow printer and file sharing.

-->ipconfig /release >ipconfig /flushdns >ipconfig /clear >ipconfig /renew

--LAN repair procedure done (Right Click on Local Area Connection icon + Repair)

-->ping 192.168.1.1 works (my gateway)

--Explorer Address Bar: \\JEFFPC shows the partitions I'm enabled to be seen on the network (Properties/Sharing/"Share This Folder on the Network"). And the Windows Network Workgroup shows those partitions as well.

--System Properties shows the correct computer and network name.

--Services enabled: Client For Microsoft Networks, File And Printer Sharing For Microsoft Networks, QoS Packet Scheduler, Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Workstation, Server, TCP/IP NetBios Helper, Computer Browser, Network Connections.

--Automatically Search for Network Folders and Printers is enabled in the Explorer Folder Options

--Each PC has the same Workgroup name and its own PC name.

-->Net User Guest is active

Rons · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 5667

OK - here is a link to the Elder Geek with ample suggestions to try and get your connection going.

Elder Geek

Also, you haven't mentioned that all systems are using XP - Home or Pro, or other OS.

Lastly, running Network Wizard over and over causes more problems then it is worth. Very Happy

Try the above suggestions and see what happens.

PS gpedit.msc is only available in Pro version.

User: inactive Posts:

Couldn't find a solution via Elder Geek, including their http://www.theeldergeek.com/quick_guide_to_simple_file_sharing.htm.

The problem PC is XP Pro. The other 2 are Pro and Home.

There's some fundamental network capability turned off in the OS, I assume. Or I should perform an OS repair type reinstall. It's a reliable and powerful system with tons of programs.

Rons · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 5667

Let's try this first on the problem PC:

Completely remove the LAN connection. Restart the system and manually setup the LAN. And setup simple file sharing making sure that Everyone is set for control. Reboot and wait for the dust to settle.

What happens? Cool

PS If this is a fairly new system and the LAN card in it is vintage 2001 [?], I'd try another NIC. Maybe one from one of the other PC's that might be newer. And swap cables as well.

PSS Repair is a last resort.

User: inactive Posts:

Above I mention that I did install the newest July 2006 driver for the network adapter.
Should I swap cables if it works fine with the Internet? If one or more of the cables is CAT6 would that matter?
I'll uninstall the card, restart, and reinstall the card, then run the network setup wizard with file sharing as you said.

Rons · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 5667

DO NOT USE THE NETWORK SETUP WIZARD! Setup the LAN manually. Cool

usasma · Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 5006

This happened at my wife's office yesterday. A "repair" install had been done to the computer and they didn't bother to visit Windows update. So, I installed 44 Windows Updates (to include .NET 2.0), rebooted and it worked!

User: inactive Posts:

I unplugged the network cable, uninstalled the NIC via device mgr, restarted, plugged the cable back in, the card reinstalled by itself, then I installed the new NIC driver. But now I don't know how the next manual step for networking with the other 2 pcs that already do see each other. Simple file sharing and TCP/IP is enabled.

Rons · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 5667

Control Panel - Network Connections

Create a new connection - not Setup Wizard for Home or Office.

Let us know what happens. Cool

PS Another thought - also try a different router connection on the rear when you plug in the Pro machine.