Upgrading to XP - Cannot see share drives

[Robert_Neville]

I am having difficulty networking my desktop and laptop. After upgrading my machines to Windows XP, the two computers can not see each other.

I have read several article on practical networking, yet have not discover the magically mojo. Here’s a breakdown of my scenario.

My network exists through an internet router, Linksys BERSR41. Three computers exist on the network and share a broadband internet connection. One desktop belongs to my roommate while the other desktop is mine. The third computer is my laptop. My computers run Windows XP Professional while my roommate’s runs Win 98.

Both desktops share an internet connection through the router (and it works). The internet connection does not work on the laptop. None of the computers see each other on the network. The main goal involves syncing the laptop files with the desktop files. If the laptop could utilize the broad band connection, then this result would be a bonus.

Originally, the network existed with NetBeui before the upgrade. So the router is not the issue. The situation became prevalent under Windows XP. Apparently, Windows XP forcibly alters other computers on the network to conform it. Plus, I ran the Network Wizard, which makes matters worse (I later read).

After reading several articles listed below, I took the following steps. I installed Netbeui on both machines; ensured that the workgroup name is the same on both computers; turned off Internet Connection Firewall; Binded NeBeui to the File Sharing; unbinded TCP/IP to File Sharing; and shared drives on both systems.

Now, my only theory is that the PCMCIA network card does not function properly on the laptop even though the device manager does not contain an exclamation point for the network card. Let me know if anybody has anymore ideas. Should I buy a new PCMCIA network card? Does anyone have suggestions for an inexpensive and reliable network card replacement?

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/addxp.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q301041

[Robert_Neville]

Ok, the network card (NIC) was the root of the problem. I recently purchased a USB Adapter NIC for troubleshooting. My laptop instantly installed the network adapter and established a connection to the internet through my router. Apparently, the dongles on my previous NIC adapter were worn out and the adapter gave unreliable performance.

Both the laptop and desktop utilize the internet connection, yet can not share resources. After following the advice on this page, http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/tcp-ip-details.htm, I discovered a NetBios issue exists. The test failed when pinging the second computer’s name, yet pinged the individual computer IP addresses worked just fine. I enabled NetBios, yet it did not resolve the problem.

Then Windows XP Network Troubleshooter asked me the following.

“ Are you using a computer name that already exists on the network?
The troubleshooter detected that you might be using a computer name that already exists on the network. This might be the cause of the problem. Follow the steps below to change the computer name. “

Both computers have distinct computer names. But could the issue relate to the user logon name as well. Both computers have same user name since the laptop serves as my mobile computing platform while the desktop serves my main computer. Both computers have the user, Robert. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

[Greenstead]

if you run thro this checklist you might come across the answer to your problem (maybe):
Essentials
- 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 192.168.1.* subnet 255.255.255.0).
- MS Client and file & printer sharing are checked on each NIC.
- All NICs have their node type = anything except peer-peer(check with Ipconfig /all).
- XP's ICF firewall is permanently disabled.
- All 3rd party firewalls are disabled, uninstalled and deleted (until connection is working).

Allow 15 mins after rebooting a PC for that PC to appear in the workgroup, or for it to see all other PCs.

[Robert_Neville]

I finally resolved my networking issues a couple of days ago. Here's a quick synopsis for reference. First, my point of reference for troubleshooting was this link, http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/

Part - One
All networks:
Use the same, single protocol for File and Printer Sharing on all computers.
Make sure that each network card is set up properly.
Networks that use the TCP/IP protocol for any purpose:
Remove all firewall programs while troubleshooting.
Assign all computers to the same IP subnet.
Networks that use the TCP/IP protocol for File and Printer Sharing:
Permanently disable XP¡'s Internet Connection Firewall on a local area network connection.
Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP on all computers.
Part Two - NIC Card
The primary problems involved the Laptop¡¦s PCMCIA Network Card. The dongle were not making proper connect with the actual card. XP show the card working under the device manger and the dongles' activity light functioned. So I had to run very specific test to confirm the issue. The tests involved pinging the NIC card (details found here http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/tcp-ip-details.htm );
and entering my router setup, selecting DCHP, then choosing DCHP Table, which did not list the laptop. The finally confirmation occurred when I purchase a USB Adapter NIC for troubleshooting and attached to the laptop. Now, it connected to the internet and the DCHP table listed it.

Part Three - Sharing files
The laptop connected to the internet through the router, yet could not display shared files. Again, I pinged both computers from the command line (details found here http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/tcp-ip-details.htm ). The tests pointed to a NetBIOS name resolution failure. So I enable Netbios on both systems (per these instructions http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/troubleshoot/netbt.htm). This action did not rectify the file sharing situation. At this point, I began using the XP Network troubleshooting tool. Then Windows XP Network Troubleshooter asked me the following.

Are you using a computer name that already exists on the network?
The troubleshooter detected that you might be using a computer name that already exists on the network. This might be the cause of the problem. Follow the steps below to change the computer name.
The answer was resounding yes; all computers had the distinct names and were connected to the network. The problem seemed to be extreme, because I had executed all the simple troubleshooting measures. Now, I found myself back at square one resetting all network protocols. Netbeui was removed easily enough through the network properties manager. TCP/IP needed to be removed from the command line utilizing Netshell (ooch!).

Part Four - Reset the TCP/IP

The NetShell utility (netsh) configures and monitors Windows XP networking. This tool provides an interactive network shell interface to the user.

When this command is executed, it rewrites pertinent registry keys that are used by the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack to achieve the same result as the removal and the reinstallation of the protocol. The command looks like the following line.

netsh int ip reset [log_file_name]
After removing NetBeui and resetting the TCP/IP stack, the computers could finally share files and connect to the internet.

Part Five - Adding NetBeui
Since my pre-existing network utilizes NetBeui, I need to install it for compatibility and security. NetBeui allows me to add an additional layer of protection in my network topology. Unfortunately, Netbeui did not allow file sharing when I re-installed it through the networking property manager. After troubleshooting for a couple of hours, I reinstalled Netbeui per Microsoft knowledge base article (301041). After restarting the computers, the computers could see each other and share files. DONE!

My problematic situation consumed a greater portion of a week's time. Hopefully, this information helps others quickly resolve their issues