2k networking computer can't see itself

[videobruce]

I have been pulling my hair out on this one.

both of my computers have 2k on them. The only difference is that the first one has SRP1 and the second doesn't. Bothe have SP2 also.

The first computer can't even see itself in the workgroup.
The second one can see itself but not the first which is understandable.

I have checked sharing, user names, permissions but can't find the problem.

I have DSL and both computers have internet access and the router that they go through shows ok.

I don't understand why the first one can't even see itself!

The workgroup in the same for both. It sees the workgroup but nothing inside.

The user name is name1 for the first and name2 for the second. I also have both names in both computers with permissions as administartors. I have share names on both drives on both computers.

I'm sure it is something stuip unless it is something to do with SRP1, but I doubt it because I think I had the problem before but never got around to do anything about it.

[ziba-june]

have you setup client for MS and file/printer sharing on both computers?

[classicsoftware]

What protocol are you using?

You will need to install NetBeui as a protocol if you want to see the other computer. You will also have to printer and file sharing for Microsoft Networks installed on both machines.

Since you can get on-line it's not the NIC. You must have TCPIP installed to get on line so you will need to install NetNeui to see the other computers....

[videobruce]

NetBuei is not installed. I do have file and printer sharing enabled as I had.

BTW, this all started after I set up different user accounts w/ adm. rights and passwords. When I was loggin in as a adm. all was fine. The users are listed under the shares and both puters have both user names listed.

The first computer can't see anything except when I do a serach. The 2nd puter see itself ok but not the first.

One thing I did notice under 'network', the 2nd puter doesn't have "computers near me" listed along with "add network place" and "entire network".

I don't know how these guys that handle these large networks do it!

[classicsoftware]

Try adding net-bui.


You will also have to have accounts setup on each machine for a user on the other machine....

[videobruce]

I do have accounts setup on each machine with both users.

I believe this is where the problem is but I have checked them many times and don't see a problem.

[classicsoftware]

Have you added NETBeui??

[videobruce]

No...........but I didn't before and it worked!
All I did was to add a user name w/adm. rights to login and added a password!

BTW, when I did, I copied the user.dat and the start menu and desktop folders over to the new user in documents and settings. Was that a problem?

[classicsoftware]

I would go with a big yep to that.

It's never a good idea to fool eith Mother Microsoft by copying registry files around...

Try to add a new user w/o changing the dat files....

If not, you will have to post what users you have on each computer and what the rights are.

[videobruce]

Why would that be a problem?
Is there some other way to copy everything as in 98 use to be able to do when you created another user?

I did add the users on both computers.

[classicsoftware]

The way you would do this is by using groups.

There are no real "users" in Windows 9X. There are only seperate desktops. You can still get to anywhere on the hard drive. Not so with Win2K. You shouldn't (unless you have administratvive privleges)
be able to see other users stuff no matter how you navigate around the hard drive.

Win2K is like NT where users have specific rights and priveleges and you can't just copy files to make a new user.

I would delete all users except for administrator on both computers and start again. DONT COPY THE DAT FILES!!!

Can you see anything is you login as administrator now?


If that does not work then post back with exactly what you did and what happened after you did it.....

[videobruce]

I can only see the workgroup in the first computer, BUT if I search I can see itself.

In the 2nd computer I can see itself, but not the first computer.

[videobruce]

I have used the 'net view' command at a command prompt and I can see each computer on it's own machine, but can't see the other.

I also tried ipconfig /all and it only shows the one machine.

[classicsoftware]

Did you start over as I suggested and delete ALL users except administrator??

[videobruce]

Just to keep you abreast, (I like breasts) it's on the list of things to do. I will try that, just haven't gotten around to it since I really didn't want to do it that way.

Question: when I go to add another user, how do I duplicate everything to the new user, shortcuts on both the start menu and desktop, and personalized settings etc.?

[classicsoftware]

I think the only way in W2k is to set up a group account and assign the grop rights and privleges. Then you will have to add a user and assign it to a group. I don't think you can do what you want the way you did in WIn 9X.

Let me know when you get around to what I suggested....

[videobruce]

Well.......I got around to it and it didn't work.

First, I couldn't remember which forum this thread was in or I would of responded sooner.

I deleted both user account's and no change.

Others mention using Netbios which I haven't done, or at kleast to my knowledge. Again this did work befor the username change, but nothing now.

When I try to map a drive (which I haven't done before) the workgruop shows but not neither computer in the first box. In the second box just the second box shows.

[Ghost_Hacker]

Open the "run" window and type \\computername where computername is the name or ip addess of the other computer on your network.


What happens?

[classicsoftware]

The Ghost Hacker is here:

Now we all learn something...

[videobruce]

Originally posted by classicsoftware
The Ghost Hacker is here:

Now we all learn something...

Sounds like a little sarcasm.


As far as the problem:

Nothing, Network path not found.

Is this the same as using net view in a command prompt?

Each machine sees itself but not the other.
In the first machine under Network, it doesn't even see itself, only the workgroup. The 2nd machine does come up under the workgroup.

[Ghost_Hacker]

First on both computers check that your server service is running. (open control panel | administrative tools | services icon.) Scroll down to "server" and check that it says "started". Of course "file sharing" should also be enabled.


Next open your tcp properties ( I'll assume you know how to do this) and check the "wins" page, "enable netbios over tcp.." should be checked. Also check that your IP info (address, subnet mask) is correct.


If you want to insure that "user rights" are not a problem, then enable the "guest" account on both computers. (This is not secure, so use only as a troubleshooting method.)


Post back the resultes of running the "\\computername" command with both the ip address and then the computer name used.


Good luck :)

[videobruce]

Services are running.

'Primary DNS suffix of the computer' is blank under system properties/network id/properties/more.

Under advanced tcp/ip settings/wins is blank.

192.168.0.1 for the router
192.168.0.2 for machine #1
192.168.0.3 for machine #2

255.255.255.0 subnet

Using the ip address under 'run' BOTH computers show on BOTH computers!
When I go up one level in the exployer window the computer doesn't show, only the workgroup.

OK, what's wrong? I'm confused.

[classicsoftware]

No sarcasm at all.

Ghost hacker is one of the most knowledgable people that I have come across. When he/she joins a discussion, I always learn something new...

[ziba-june]

I assume you had installed the file/printer sharing and had choosen the file sharing in there and then had actually gone to drives and folders you want to share and set them correctly and asigned the right access permission; if so then it should work.
Since you have a DSL router, I assume you had set DHCP in there and in your Network place you have set IP to automatic.
Do you have win2Kpro or Servers? If Pro, set up a new workgroup and put both computer in there and creadt users to see if that works.

Good luck.

Have you ever tried to PING your other computer by name and IP?

[videobruce]

It just sounded like a possible sarcasm...........


Netbios was disabled under the wins tab. Don't know how or when, but it was in the 1st machine but not the 2nd.

Now 'everything is aok' (quote from a 'Flint' movie).

BUT.............when some said to enable Netbios my first thought was it was another protocol under local area connection/properties (with the default 3) that was never there before. I didn't want to add another entry if I didn't have to. I didn't know it was buried 4 or 5 layers deep under the wins tab. The address in the wins tab is blank. What exactly would I put there?

When Netbios was disabled why could the machines see each other by the ip address but not by the machine name?

Is typing 'net view \\(computer name)' at a command prompt the same as typing that in a run command?

[Ghost_Hacker]

EDIT Since your problem is now solved (good news :) )
I have edited my post to answer your new question and remove my addon troubleshooting steps.


The address in the wins tab is blank. What exactly would I put there?



Unless your using a WINS server, then nothing should go there. ( in most cases you won't be using one on a home network)


When Netbios was disabled why could the machines see each other by the ip address but not by the machine name?



Windows 2000 shares folders using netbios over tcp, but it can also use port 445 which is not a netbios over tcp port. This is why the IP address worked and also one reason why netbios can be disabled on a Windows 2000 network.



Is typing 'net view \\(computer name)' at a command prompt the same as typing that in a run command?



Yes, it is.

[classicsoftware]

No Sarcasm at all..


Ghost hacker is one of the most knowledgable members of the forum.

Every time her enters a discussion I learn something new....

[Ghost_Hacker]

Hehehhe....going to have to start checking for new post before answering one. Either that or learn to type faster. :D

[mjc]

Yep....even got me confused......;) (started looking around to see if I had actually done something to this thread without realizing it, in my recent "organizational" frenzy.....:D).

I think what is really needed it a 100% reliable voice activated system...(Computer...(picks up mouse, tries using like microphone) Computer...(heard over shoulder)...try using the keyboard...how quaint)

[videobruce]

The time it takes you to compose the post vs the time it takes someone else to answer the last post is usually longer.............

Is there any advantage of using net view in a command prompt vs using 'run'?

I still haven't re-created any users yet. I want to retain the same desktop and all the preferences and start menu WITHOUT going through all of that again. How can I do that without coping those 2 files over to the new user that a couple of people said you shouldn't?

[Ghost_Hacker]

Is there any advantage of using net view in a command prompt vs using 'run'?




Not really, but the "NET" commands can be used in scripts.


I still haven't re-created any users yet. I want to retain the same desktop and all the preferences and start menu WITHOUT going through all of that again. How can I do that without coping those 2 files over to the new user that a couple of people said you shouldn't?


Right click "My Computer" and choose properties from the drop down menu. Click the "User Profiles" tab and you'll see the option to "copy to..." . By hightlighting the profile you wish to copy and clicking the "copy to.." botton you'll be able to copy the user's desktop,start menu, etc to a new user.


The "copy to.." operation will want you to point it to where it should copy the profile to. The new user's profile will be in the "Documents and Settings" folder normally located on your "C" drive. Simply use the "browse" botton to find it. If the new user does not have a folder in "Documents and Settings", you can either create it by hand or login as the new user and then logout. This will create a folder with the new users name in "documents and Settings".


If you upgraded from NT you might not have a "documents and settings" folder, instead look for a "profile" folder in "winnt" .

Good Luck :)

[videobruce]

I have been going in through control panel/users and passwords. You know the logical place to add new users...........!

But, stupid me, I forgot I was dealing with M$!

Now we got that out of the way, I see a 'unknown user' listed under my system properties/user profiles. Is that suppose to be there? This is when the 2nd computer is 'up'! Would the 2nd machine show up this way?

[Ghost_Hacker]

This depends on how folks login to the computer. If, for instance, they login using a remote account and not a local one, then if that remote computer can not be accessed or if the account has been deleted. You'll get an "unknown user" or "account unknown" in your profiles window.