Problem with home network……

[LawyerRon]

Something weird is happening on my home network with 4 computers. Sometimes we can all see each other in Network Neighborhood and sometimes we can’t. But usually, when I can see the other 3 computers from my machine, the other 3 can’t see me. When the other three can see me, I can’t see them. I’m feeling the problem is somehow related to my machine and I’ve changed the NIC with no relief. Could the problem be with my 4-port Netgear router? Also, we’re all using “Windows Logon” with nobody using a password. We’ve been using this logon for over a year with no problems. Should we be using “Client for Microsoft Networks” to logon instead? We’re all running TCP/IP, Client for MS, and Netbeui. TIA

[Iman74]

I have a the similar problem. With that said I have one question; even though you can't see a PC on network neighborhood, can you still ping that PC or find it by name?

Things that I know; sometimes it is fixed by adding netbui
Try to use all the same nic card
and check the cables, I have seen a rj45 connector not on all the way cause that.

[LawyerRon]

No, I can't find the PC by name when I can't see it. I haven't tried to ping the others though. If I wait 5-10 minutes I can usually then see the other machines. If checked all the cables at the Router by firmly pressing them in and even replaced the cable on my machine with no luck. I'm running Netbeui on every machine too.

[Confused]

I certainly am not a networking guru, but I have used Client for Microsoft Networks a year now without any problems with two PC's networked thru a SMC router.

Of course that has no bearing on why yours worked as long as it did and then quit.
Chas

[Computer Hobbyist]

Use Client for Microsoft Networks instead of Windows Logon without passwords. Make sure all of your computers are in the same workgroup. Make sure you check File and Printer Sharing on all your computers. That will let your NetBUEI protocal work on your local network and should allow you to see all of your computers in Network Neighborhood. You might even try mapping some drives.

I assume your network connects to the internet. Any problems with the internet.

BTW what OS's do you have on each computer. I am assuming Windows 9x or Windows XP.

CH

[LawyerRon]

Thanks Ron,
I’ve got file and print sharing installed and checked properly and the workgroup’s the same on all machines. As I mentioned, I’ve had this network up for over a year with no apparent problems. I’ve also mapped drives in the past with no problems but have not tried that recently. All machines are running 98SE and yes, we all connect to the Internet via the router and that works fine.

So are you saying if I have Client for Microsoft Networks installed (which I do btw) that I have to use Client for Microsoft Networks Logon? And if so, do we need to all use a password when we logon?

[Computer Hobbyist]

Ron

Why wouldn't you want to use Client for Microsoft Networks Logon when you logon and why would you not want to enter a password when you logon?

CH

[LawyerRon]

No particular reason. I was told a long time ago to use Windows Logon so no password was necessary. Apparently I'm doing things all wrong.

So again, are you saying if I have Client for Microsoft Networks installed that I HAVE to use Client for Microsoft Networks Logon and a password when I logon? Is it OK if I don't use the password with Client for Microsoft Networks Logon? If I need to change settings that's fine.

[Computer Hobbyist]

Ron

If you really don't want to see a dialog box asking for your password when you start your computer you might try adapting the following I pulled of an AT&T support site. You will notice that basic idea is to enter a user name and a blank screen for a password. That eliminates the password. You also are using the Windows Logon instead of the Client for Microsoft Networks logon. On reflection, I don't know why I ever allowed my family and staff to opt out of passwords.

"If you have a dialog box appearing everytime you start your computer, asking you to logon to your computer, you can eliminate it by doing the following.

1. Click the START button in the lower left corner of the screen
2. Select SETTINGS, then CONTOL PANEL
3. Click the NETWORK icon
4. In the default screen, which shows the Configuration tab on top, find the box with the title PRIMARY NETWORK LOGON
5. Pull down the menu and select WINDOWS LOGON
6. Click OK
7. Restart Windows

"If the pop-up window is still showing up, try the following:

1. Use FIND FILES OR FOLDERS and search for *.PWL. This locates your password list file. Delete the current file, and then restart the computer. When the logon screen comes up again, type username in the username field. Click in the password box, but DON'T type a password. Click OK. When asked to confirm the password, click in the box again, but do not type anything, and click OK again. Because the password is null, the password screen will not come up again, and you will be automatically logged in each time you boot.
2. If the above procedure does not work, then you need to delete the password list (the *.PWL files) and remove Client for Microsoft Networks from the network control panel. You can accomplish that by doing the following:you need to do the following:
1. At the Desktop, right-click on the NETWORK NEIGHBORHOOD icon and select PROPERTIES
2. The Network window will appear
3. On the Identification tab, write down what is shown for your computer and network name
4. Click on the CONFIGURATION tab
5. On the Configuration tab, scroll through the list and find Client for Microsoft Networks
6. Highlight CLIENT FOR MICROSOFT NETWORKS, and then hit the DELETE key on your keyboard
7. After confirming deletion, you will be prompted to restart the computer
8. When you reboot, you will not get the logon screen



"To reinstall the Client for Microsoft Networks:

1. At the Desktop, right-click on the NETWORK NEIGHBORHOOD icon and select PROPERTIES
2. The Network window will appear
3. Click on ADD, a new window will appear
4. On the Left Hand side of the New screen, select MICROSOFT
5. On the Right Hand side of the screen, select CLIENT FOR MICROSOFT NETWORKS
6. Click ADD
7. When the install is complete, close the add window
8. Now click on the IDENTIFICATION tab and make sure you computer name and network name are set the same way they were before you removed the client earlier
9. Click on OK, and when prompted restart the computer
10. Remember to follow the steps listed above for entering the username and blank password so you do not get the login screen again."

CH

[LawyerRon]

OK, thanks Ron, I'll check it out.

[glc]

I recommend you use the Client for MS Networks logon, but leave the password blank - that way you just have to either hit Enter or click OK to log on.

[Computer Hobbyist]

Ron,

I agree with glc. A blank password box is better security than no password box. That is what we did at my office until we decided to add passwords.

At least one other site I found using Google also says you should use the Client for MS Networks Logon but that site was for Win95/98 and not 98se. I have found other sites that also insist on using the Client for MS Networks Logon in an network environment. Of course, they probably are interested in enhancing security.

Ron

[LawyerRon]

I think I solved the problem;

File and Printer Sharing for MS Neworks was checked under the Bindings tab for BOTH TCP/IP and NetBUEI. I unchecked this box in TCP/IP leaving it checked in NetBUEI and all seems well. I don't know how this got they both got checked but I suspect it happened a while back when I was experimenting with a few settings. Thanks everyone for all the input.

[piasabird]

One good site for Home Networking is:

http://www.homenethelp.com/

One thing they suggested is making sure to turn off the firewall in XP. By default it is turned on.