Explorer locks when file sharing

[Dissonance]

Hi,

I have a home network with 3 XP machines. Whenever I try to access a file, folder or drive, Windows Explorer locks/hangs on the computer attempting to make the connection.

My network is as follows: 2 XP Pro SP1 machines attached to a Linksys DSL router; 1 XP Home SP1 laptop with a Linksys wireless PC card; a Linksys wireless access point connected to the DSL router; a Cisco 675 DSL modem connected to the DSL router.

All 3 machines have simple file sharing enabled and the internet connection firewall turned off. I ran the network setup wizzard on all 3 machines. I found an article on the Microsoft knowledge base that said NetBIOS over TCP/IP should be enabled. I enabled it and there was no change. My router is set as a DHCP server.

Just to make things a little more complicated... One of the XP Pro machines can be accessed by either of the other 2 machines. The other 2 machines, however, can't be accessed. The network settings on all 3 machines match, so I don't know why only one of the machine can be accessed.

Anybody have any ideas about what's wrong? I'm stumped:confused:

[Greenstead]

This is my standard checklist for LAN sharing. You have already checked some of these things however I suggest you run through them:
- All PCs have TCP/IP installed.
- All PCs have Netbios over TCP/IP enabled.
- All PCs have the same workgroup.
- All PCs have a unique computer name.
- ALL PCs have network shares defined directly under c:.
- ALL NICS are on the same subnet (typically IP 192.168.0.* subnet 255.255.255.0).
- MS Client and file & printer sharing are checked on each NIC.
- All NICs have their node type = broadcast (check with Ipconfig /all).
- XP's ICF firewall is permanently disabled.
- All 3rd party firewalls are disabled (until connection is working).

Pay special attention to 'network' shares and the node type.

Come back if you still have problems.

[Dissonance]

Greenstead, thanks for the quick reply.

- All PCs have TCP/IP installed.
Yes

- All PCs have Netbios over TCP/IP enabled.
Yes

- All PCs have the same workgroup.
Yes

- All PCs have a unique computer name.
Yes

- ALL PCs have network shares defined directly under c:.
I don't know--how do I check?

- ALL NICS are on the same subnet (typically IP 192.168.0.* subnet 255.255.255.0).
Yes

- MS Client and file & printer sharing are checked on each NIC.
I don't know--how do I check? Is this under "Network Connections/Local Area Connection/Properties/General tab"? If it is, then yes.

- All NICs have their node type = broadcast (check with Ipconfig /all).
Node Type = Unknown
How do I change to Broadcast?


- XP's ICF firewall is permanently disabled.
Yes

- All 3rd party firewalls are disabled (until connection is working).
Yes


Thanks!:)

[Greenstead]

Node Type = Unknown <--- looks like the problem.

The only way to fix is a patch to the windows registry.
The attached zip file contains a file "B-node.reg". Extract it to the desktop and double click it and it will patch the registry and force node to broadcast. Then reboot.

I have used this myself on my XP Home PC to fix the same problem.

However, if at all concerned do not make changes in your registry. Incorrect changes to the registry can require a re-install of XP.

[Dissonance]

Okay I ran that registry patch on all 3 computers and rebooted. Now, they all have Node Type = Broadcast. Unfortunately, I'm still having the same problem. Any clues?

Thanks,
Paul

[Greenstead]

Two other checks then:

1. Network shares.
On each PC directly under c: make a new directory called shared.
Right click -> Properties -> Sharing Tab -> check 'share this folder on the network'.

2. Check you logged in on each PC (not just booted with windows).


If still no luck please report the IP address and subnet mask on each PC - just to check.

[Dissonance]

Each computer now has a directory called shared under c:, and they're shared on the network. I rebooted after making this change. A user is logged on to each computer. I still have the same problem, except now things have changed a little:

Computer1: can access Computer2, but not the Laptop.
Computer2: can access the Laptop, but not Computer1
Laptop: can access Computer2, but not Computer1

Computer1:
IP 192.168.1.102
Subnet Mask 250.250.250.0

Computer2:
IP 192.168.1.101
Subnet Mask 250.250.250.0

Laptop:
IP 192.168.1.103
Subnet Mask 250.250.250.0

I have a Linksys print server at 192.168.1.100. All of the computers can successfully print through the print server.

Thanks for the suggestions. Can you please provide me with more help?

Paul

[Greenstead]

Hmmm...excellent information.

I still don't know the answer.

Your router - is it a combined router/printer server or ? What model is it?

What is the router LAN IP and subnet mask ?

Are all your NIC properties set to get an IP address automatically, or did you manually set those IP addresses.

I am wondering how you got such a strange subnet mask on the NICs - you set it yourself ?

[Dissonance]

Linksys BEFSR41 router with 4 connections: Computer1, Computer2, Linksys WAP51AB wireless access point, and Linksys EFSP42 print server.

The router's IP address is 192.168.1.1, which is also the default gateway and DHCP server on all the computers. The 255.255.255.0 is the default subnet mask for the router (I accidentally listed the wrong subnet mask in my previous post). All of the computers obtain their IP address automatically.

I have an additional observation... Computer2 already had a folder under c: called Shared. Computer1 and Laptop did not (I added one and enabled sharing on both of them). I've always been able to successfully connect to Computer2, but not to Computer1 and Laptop. This may be significant.

Thanks Again,
Paul

[Greenstead]

Yes - those network shares may be the answer. Ensure they are set as 'network shared'.

Everything seems correctly setup.

What happens when you try to access PC to PC ?