Network problem

Bunce · March 17, 2006, 12:09:39 PM

Hey all,

Got problem with network at work. A group of computers are required to access the shared documents of another computer.
All but one of the computers can view the these documents.

This computer in question can ping the computers IP but can't see any computer in the network neighbourhood.
It has the same workgroup.
Manually assigned IP details.
Firewall disabled.
Simple File Sharing Enabled.
Files Sharing protocol.

I dont think it can ping the computer NAME if this helps at all.

Anyone have any ideas?...

Jamoe · March 17, 2006, 12:58:40 PM

Can u access the folder/files through the IP?

Also what OS are these PC's running.

suicidal_monkey · March 17, 2006, 01:12:10 PM

...they all have unique ID's and names?

Anonymous · March 17, 2006, 01:20:53 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bunce@Mar 17 2006, 12:09 PM
Hey all,

Got problem with network at work. A group of computers are required to access the shared documents of another computer.
All but one of the computers can view the these documents.

This computer in question can ping the computers IP but can't see any computer in the network neighbourhood.
It has the same workgroup.
Manually assigned IP details.
Firewall disabled.
Simple File Sharing Enabled.
Files Sharing protocol.

I dont think it can ping the computer NAME if this helps at all.

Anyone have any ideas?...
[post=117677]Quoted post[/post]
[/b]

Try:

net view \\machinename which should fail
net view \\IPAddress should work.

If it does check that NetBIOS over IP is enabled in your network settings

Benny · March 17, 2006, 01:42:04 PM

Check the DNS settings then play on the servers.

Bunce · March 17, 2006, 02:18:45 PM

Thank you for your replies...

sadly... none of it worked...

turning off the Windows Firewall fixed it though... so anyone have any ideas why that is?
It is not essential the firewall is enabled as we have firewall on the network.

sheepy · March 17, 2006, 03:33:37 PM

If it now works don't ask why. just accept it

Bunce · March 17, 2006, 03:40:10 PM

Its more the fact that its working, but not how i need it to...
granted i'll have to leave it like it is if i can't fix it.

Benny · March 17, 2006, 03:54:47 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bunce@Mar 17 2006, 01:09 PM
Hey all,

Got problem with network at work. A group of computers are required to access the shared documents of another computer.
All but one of the computers can view the these documents.

This computer in question can ping the computers IP but can't see any computer in the network neighbourhood.
It has the same workgroup.
Manually assigned IP details.
Firewall disabled.
Simple File Sharing Enabled.
Files Sharing protocol.

I dont think it can ping the computer NAME if this helps at all.

Anyone have any ideas?...
[post=117677]Quoted post[/post]
[/b]

Did that not say 'Firewall Disabled'?

How about, the firewall is blocking the ports? Enable netbios et all through the firewall till it works.

BigFatCat · March 17, 2006, 03:56:03 PM

The Windows "firewall" (or cheese crowbar, chocolate fireguard) will block port 137-139 connection attempts. If you want to leave it running, you need to allow file and print sharing to the exemptions list.
http://computing.vassar.edu/safecomputing/...y/firewall.html

Bunce · March 17, 2006, 04:04:26 PM

Ok

but to make it more confusing, when the firewall was enabled, the file and printer sharing was enabled... also netbios was enabled...

this is why i am confused.

Once the firewall was disabled i could see the computer via IP but not via computer name.
When the firewall is enabled, neither work.

Anonymous · March 17, 2006, 04:34:06 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bunce@Mar 17 2006, 04:04 PM
Ok but to make it more confusing, when the firewall was enabled, the file and printer sharing was enabled... also netbios was enabled...

this is why i am confused.

Once the firewall was disabled i could see the computer via IP but not via computer name.
When the firewall is enabled, neither work.
[post=117753]Quoted post[/post]
[/b]

I can explain that quite simply;

Microsoft + Firewall = chaos

Gorion · March 17, 2006, 07:46:58 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by BlueBall@Mar 17 2006, 05:34 PM
I can explain that quite simply;
Microsoft + Firewall = chaos
[post=117763]Quoted post[/post]
[/b]

i agree 1000% on that

basically dont use the windows firewall.. if its an m$ product its bugged

ive been using the mcafee personal firewall plus for years now, its good, and you can track or block ips, let some programs pass and if you wish block them from acessing the inet

also you can get a trial verson, so its free..

Bunce · March 21, 2006, 05:51:36 PM

sorry to bring this up again but its causing more of a problem that initially thought.

Were have a handful of computers (that we know of at the moment) that cannot ping any other othe computer/server by computer name.
They are fine pinging by IP.
They are all windows XP Pro.

NetBios over TCP/IP is enabled.
DNS Server is correct
Subnet mask is same for all.
So is the WORKGROUP
The IP is manual.
Default gateway is the same for all also.

Internet works fine.

Problem is theres some software that is required to talk to a server by Computer Name.

tracing the route of the computer name fails, yet IP is fine.

So something is completely wrong with the NAME side of things.

Can ANYONE please help shed some light or ideas on this, as this needs to be working by end of the week!

Thank you in advance!

Anonymous · March 21, 2006, 06:45:12 PM

Go to one machine that works and do the following in a command window:

ipconfig /all > c:\config1.txt

Then go to a machine that doesn't work and type:

ipconfig /all > c:\config2.txt

Obviously these two files are now on different PCs but if you can post the contents of the files here we can have a look