Funny Networking Problem

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Ok... Well I have a friend whose computers have just recently been upgraded to cable.

Cable modem-->Router(Linksys)-->Two computers, each attached with a Patch Cable. Both computers using Windows XP(didnt check if they were home or Pro) and have SP2 as far as I know. So, here comes the problem.

Let's call computer 1, C1, and computer 2, C2.

C1 can see C2 but is unable to access C2's files through "View Workgroup Computers" and clicking on C2's directory, (Access Denied error. Contact System admin and all that)
C1 can see and browse C1's shared directory(Under the "View Workgroup Computers")
C1 is unable to ping C2.
C2 is unable to see C1 in "View Workgroup Computers"
C2 is unable to see C2 in "View Workgroup Computers"
C1 is able to use the internet.
C2 is able to use the internet.

I don't know what to do really... I turned off the firewall's of the individual computers(Except Norton was installed and was maybe running a Firewall as well) in XP. I remade the network connection to assure it was made correctly. I checked the cabling(wasnt sure, since I figured maybe the Crossover cable's might share the internet but not files? A long and very unlikely shot, but worth a shot since I was at a dead end).

Any idea's? I don't quite know what to look for at the moment. I am going back tomorrow assuming you guy's(and gal's) have some ideas...

Thanks for all the help, hope it's something simple I just missed.

[Panama Red]

What do you mean "I remade the network connection.."? Did you run the Network Wizard on both machines again? I assume you double checked to make sure both are in the same work group. Sure looks to me like the problem is with C2.

[ktkendall]

can you do the command ipconfig from the command line from each PC and post the results here?? I would normally say you have all IP addressing correct since both can access the net, but the fact that you can not ping C2 from C1 is why I would like to see the settings. Can C2 ping C1?? You should not have a crossover cable anywhere in that setup, but if both PC's are indeed accessing the net thru the router than you must not really be using a crosover cable. Do you have link lights all around? Does each PC have a unique name, and the exact same workgroup name?? Just use the routers firewall for now, turn all others off, I'm bettin thats the problem..

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Panama Red: Yes, I did the Network Wizard again in hopes of it being a problem with different Workgroups, but to no avail. And ya, I was kind of thinking the same thing... Or maybe hoping. Then at least I could say it was a problem with ____ instead of "I have no idea"

ktkendall: I didn't think to look over the IPconfig info much. I also didn't do the ipconfig from C2, although the address as listed from the router was 192.168.1.101 and 192.168.1.102. The LAN IP's I mean. Don't remember any other info from the ipconfig on C1.

And I wasn't sure how a patch cable would work in that situation, so I figured it was worth a shot to look to see if any of them were patch cables. None were.

Each PC has a unique name and workgroup... I typed in the workgroup myself and saw the computer names, vastly different.

Ok, looks as if I will disable all of the Firewalls(I think Norton is on both of them) along with XP's and see if that makes any difference.

Thanks for the help so far. Any other ideas? Wanna have all the possibilities lined up and ready to try once I get there... Not a good fealing to leave having no idea what's wrong

[glc]

Each PC has a unique name and workgroup

Workgroup must be the SAME.

[ZeratulsAvenger]

I meant they had a unique name and the same workgroup... Sorry for the confusion. I should really re-read what I write...

[ZYFER]

ok first thing I want you to do is find the ip addresses for each machine, you can do this by going to start - run - cmd
type in ipconfig and hit enter, it will display the ip address of the computer, you will want to do this with both so you have them on hand.

now for the second step, go to start - run - cmd
type ping "ip address of other computer" then hit enter

if everything comes back fine that means you have a connection between the two computers and we can move on to other trobuelshooting options,
definetely disabling the firewalls to see what that does for you, I know Sygate has the option for allowing computers to access shared folders, Norton should have the same too.

[ktkendall]

If your accessing the net from both PC's, and the workgroup names match exactly, but you can not ping from PC to PC, then I'm bettin it's the software firewalls on those PC's blocking access to eachother and not replying to a ping request..

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Hope it is just the Software Firewalls... Thanks for the help, now hope it works.

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Ok... It was Norton that was the trouble. I turned off XP's firewall, but forgot that C2 had Norton on it. Oh well... I got a sandwich and $15 bucks, I'm happy.

[Panama Red]

Congrats, ZA! What kind of sandwich?!

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Bologna(is that how you spell it?)...

I am amazed at the setup though... I hear how her parents are cheap(from the daughter), and then I see the Norton system tray icon(they just bought Norton Systemworkd 2004 or whatever that program is), along with a hub and 2 cables(the daughter said he wanted to connect the router to the hub and C2 to the hub... I tried to explain how that was unneccessary and all, but he is putting it back on today I think. Oh well...) I am going to try and campaign to the daughter to get Norton off of the system though(C2 came with it preinstalled, C1 they just intalled it on. I am trying to get it off C2), since it's a Celeron HP system which probably can use all of the resources it has available to it. She turned off the firewall, the antivirus, and, well I don't know what else is even on the program. Smack AVG in there and everything is dandy again. Assuming she runs the updater... Like that will happen

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by ZeratulsAvenger ... Assuming she runs the updater... Like that will happen

I gave up expecting the customer to run an updater. Just set up AVG to automatically scan and automatically update at a time when they are most likely to have the comp turned on. Change the Scheduler to the best times.

[bigz]

If you still using Norton on the 1 computer ... get rid of it... I have the same problem with my pops office network... Even though i put them in the trusted network range Norton Still is a pain... Get Trendmicro its smarter and better ,,,, tahnk you and have a nice night!!!

[ZeratulsAvenger]

About the updates: She turns her computer off whenever she is not on it... Don't even know when she gets on.. Maybe I coul dguess within two hours... Its worth a shot I suppose

I don't know if you caught it, but I also said how the Dad is going to use the hub because he bought it, not because he needs it or it actually is helpful(2 more wires and another box on the table). I doubt I could get him to ditch Norton since he paid for that too. I am just telling her to get it off since she doesnt use any of its functionality. The Dad uses some of it(ban websites and parental controls and all that good stuff. And yes I know you can do that without a $40 program, but he is stuborn and I doubt as if I could get him to listen to me[I am only 17 ya know ]. If he wants to use it, then so be it I suppose).

Never tried TrendMicro besides the online scan.