Need help with vexing LAN connectivity please...

[bigsury]

I have two Dell Dimension 8400 computers running Windows XP with SP2. For the last three years I have been able to connect them through workgroup and share printers and files without any problems. Recently my router died and I replaced it with Linksys WRT54GS and since then my two computers refuse to connect to each other. I have no problem with accessing Internet from each of them. They don't even ping. I keep getting a message that
"Computer A/B is not accessible.You might not have permission to use the network resource.Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. The network path was not found."

It's the same message on both the computers. The IP address is being assigned by the router.:confused:
I deactivated the firewall on the router and the computers and still no luck.
What am I doing wrong here? Any help or suggestion is much appreciated.

with best regards,
Sury

[PrntRhd]

Try this:
Try going to the Run command>type:
\\other computer Name\any shared folder name
enter

Diasabling the router firewall does not affect the LAN connection between the PCs, it only firewalls the Internet from the LAN.

[bigsury]

I did as suggested and I got an error message: Network Path not found.

Sorry, could not reply sooner. Had a lunch engagement.

with best regards,
Sury

[classicsoftware]

Home or Pro? Both have the same workgroup? Simple file sharing activated on both PC's? Is norton internet security installed?

[bigsury]

XP Home on both and have the same workgroup. They came with McAfee so Norton is not on the system. The worse thing was that they used work without any problems for the last 3 years.

When I did ipconfig /all I get the IP address assigned to them by the router. When I ping each other I get a timed out message.

Both the computers talk to outside world and to the NAS disks (2 Ximetas) with out any problem.
When I reboot both the machines after using network wizard trying different workgroup names, the first one to reboot (either A or B) recognizes the second computer but the second one does not. The ping does not acknowledge. I keep getting message about access. Both the computers have same name accounts with same password with admin privileiges.

with best regards,
Sury

[bigsury]

Yes. Simple file sharing is activated on both of them.

with best regards,
Sury

[classicsoftware]

Look at the Mcafee firewall. I think your problem lies here....

[bigsury]

Will do that.These are my home computers and came home few minutes ago. Hence the delayed reply. My apologies.

with best regards,
Sury

[bigsury]

All I did was to disable the McAfee firewall and Voila!!! It worked like a charm.:)

Thank you, thank you and thank you.

with best regards,
Sury

[classicsoftware]

You need to re-install the firewall and setup the exceptions that will allow network traffic but keep intruders out....

[bigsury]

The softwae came with the sysem and I don't have the disk. I will buy a new version (this one has expired a year ago) and do as suggested. Once again, thank you very much.

with best regards,
Sury

[classicsoftware]

Don't do that. There are free options available I'll post back later

[bigsury]

OK. That would be great. I will check back later today.

with best regards,
Sury

[classicsoftware]

For Anti-virus I like Avast (http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html) and for a Firewall you should use either Kerio (http://www.filehippo.com/download_sygate_personal_firewall/) or Sygate (http://www.filehippo.com/download_sygate_personal_firewall/).

[bigsury]

Thank you very much. I do need to uninstall my McAfee before I install a firewall right? What about virus scan? TIA

with best regards,
Sury

[classicsoftware]

Download the AV.
Disconnect from the web
Uninstall your Mcafee
Re-boot
Install AVAST
reconnect to the web

[bigsury]

Got it. Will do as suggested.

with best regards,
Sury