cannot view workgroup! ??? help a networking newbie

jcaveman · #1 February 2nd, 2008, 12:41 AM

Hey,

New to networking but i have just set up a network between a wired XP PC and wireless Vista notebook using a DLINK WBR2310 wireless router. Internet is fine on both and the network is set up, (they are both on the same workgroup) but here is my problem. The notebook can view shared files on the PC and print using the printer connected to the XP PC but the PC cannot view anything on the notebook. When I click 'view workgroup computers' the only response i get is a error sound. When i attempt to browse my network through "add a network place" it just becomes busy with no response. I have tried manually entering the notebook \\notebookname\public and get windows cannot find. I've also tried searching for a computer with no luck. Why can i access perfectly from the notebook (vista) and not from the PC (XP). Any suggestions would be appreciated as i have researched with no luck.

ALSO: I can ping the notebook from the PC.

**Snurfen** · #2 February 2nd, 2008, 12:26 PM

Hi jcaveman, welcome to CTH

This page from Microsoft usually gets this problem resolved, give it a try and post back with a yay or nay

From a computer running Windows XP, I can't see any network computers running Windows Vista. (3rd link down, named same as this link here)

jcaveman · #3 February 2nd, 2008, 06:00 PM

double checked that, both computers ARE in the same Workgroup.

jcaveman · #4 February 2nd, 2008, 06:01 PM

Also if it is of any importance I can ping the laptop from the desktop and the desktop from the laptop. . .

FrEaKmAn · #5 February 2nd, 2008, 10:20 PM

firewall options are very important... disable you firewall and maybe set up this ports

Quote:

Do any of the computers have a software firewall (ICF / WF, or third party)? If
so, you need to configure them for file sharing, by opening ports TCP 139, 445
and UDP 137, 138, 445, and / or by identifying the other computers as present in
the Local (Trusted) zone. Firewall configurations are a very common cause of
(network) browser, and file sharing, problems.

jcaveman · #6 February 2nd, 2008, 11:47 PM

Only firewall is Windows Firewall which is Disabled on both systems.

Again, when I ping the laptop either using computer name or IP address it is successful.

But when i type \\computer-name or \\laptop ip i get an error saying 'Windows cannot find 192.168.0.100'. Check the spelling and try again or try searching for the item by clicking the Start button and then clicking Search.'

I can get to My Network Places and Network Connections on the desktop but cannot view the network or workgroup.

**Snurfen** · #7 February 3rd, 2008, 10:42 AM

Sorry, hungover to bits this morning, so it's all a bit foggy - bit of a national celebreation in Wales last night. A temporary solution (until I'm compus-mentis enough to post further details) is to substitute the \\compname with \\ipaddress for the short term.

jcaveman · #8 February 3rd, 2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcaveman

But when i type \\computer-name or \\laptop ip i get an error saying 'Windows cannot find 192.168.0.100'. Check the spelling and try again or try searching for the item by clicking the Start button and then clicking Search.'

As i said typing in the IP Address in Windows Explorer just gives me an error message.

**Snurfen** · #9 February 3rd, 2008, 11:04 PM

Oops, sorry, missed that one on the reread - I'll try and replicate the error when I get to work tomorrow morning

darksturm · #10 February 26th, 2008, 10:48 AM

I have a similar problem. I have five computers connected to a switch. the switch is connected to a linksys wireless router. This used to be a working system. But one day
some of my computers will not show the computers on the workgroup. all I get is an error sound when i click on show workgroup computers. (what does an error sound at this point mean anyway?)

I cannot ping the 3 computers from my workstation. I can ping myself. There are no firewalls after the router.

So in short, some of the computers can access the internet but not the local network.

Short of reformatting and perhaps buying a new router, I've tried everything.

charliep · #11 May 2nd, 2008, 01:46 PM

JCaveman - did you ever get this resolved?

I am having the same exact problem. I have 3 PCs. Two have the identical Windows XP Pro setup (one is a backup of the other). One is Windows XP Tablet which I just booted. The XP Tablet can see all three computers on the network (including itself). Neither of the XP Pro machines can see anything on the network (including themselves). Everything Pings fine. No firewall on one machine (I turned it off but the problem persists.

If you solved it please tell me how.

charliep · #12 May 3rd, 2008, 02:14 PM

I have probably been to 20 websites looking for this little morsel of knowledge, so let me put it here and share it with all.

1. Open Network Connections
2. Right Click on your Local Area Network connection and click Properties
3. Make sure the following are checked:
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
Link-Layer Topology Discovery Responder

Actually, I think it is the last one which really solved the problem. I don't remember when I installed this on my Windows XP, but if it is disabled your system is not going to discover any other XP machines on the LAN.

Of course nothing could be so easy. Then I got a “Not enough server storage is available to process this command.” error. Go here for the solution:

http://www.pcdoctor-guide.com/wordpress/?p=174