Vista - XP Problems file & printer sharing

[J McRae]

I am way out of my league and appreciate any assistance with my networking problem!

It all started with me wanting to wirelessly share the cable modem attached to my husband’s PC running Vista. My laptop is running XP. So I bought a Linksys WRT54G2 wireless broadband router and hooked it up to the PC, along with a Linksys WUSB11 v 2.6 wireless adapter. I bought a Linksys WPC100 Range Plus wireless notebook adapter and put it in the laptop.

The result was that I was able to connect to the internet, but for the life of me, I can’t share the files or printer on the Vista PC.

I can see the PC’s name on the laptop’s My Network Places>View Workgroups, but when I click on the name, it’s not accessible > the network path was not found.

I have made the change on the laptop from “MSHOME” to “WORKGROUP”; turned “Password Protected Sharing” OFF in the Vista Network and Sharing Center (everything else is ON); and right-clicked on selected folders to SHARE.

That’s it! That’s as much as I dare to do on my own. I don’t know if it’s even possible to share the HP 5610 printer. I suppose I should be happy just being able to go on-line, but I sure would like to share files and be able to print.

[jlreich]

What firewall are you using? Sounds like the firewall is blocking access. If it wasn't the firewall you would get a user/password prompt.

Once the firewall is configured to allow access the printer should not be a problem. Files are another story.

With files you either have to setup an account on the machine for the other computer to access it. Or, add in an "Everybody" group to the sharing security and give it full access. I use the Everybody account for myself because I have a dedicated firewall protecting my internal network, but it is not advised for most to do this.

Lets start with your firewall. Once we get that configured and you can access the printer we will move on to files.

[J McRae]

I do get a "Wireless Network Connection" box asking for the Network key and Confirm network key... which are already filled in. So I select "Connect" and I'm connected.

I don't know the name of the firewalls... I just use the one in the PC and in the laptop.

I don't have a "Router Username"... it appears to be blank on my Linskys printout. I do have a Router Password; a Network Name/SSID; WPA /WPA2 Wireless Security Type; and a Security Key. I also have a Passphrase which came with the Linksys Router.

[jlreich]

I do get a "Wireless Network Connection" box asking for the Network key and Confirm network key... which are already filled in. So I select "Connect" and I'm connected.

I don't have a "Router Username"... it appears to be blank on my Linskys printout. I do have a Router Password; a Network Name/SSID; WPA /WPA2 Wireless Security Type; and a Security Key. I also have a Passphrase which came with the Linksys Router.
That actually has noting to do with windows sharing. The wireless router is independent of the computer. However, I do highly recommend changing the default passphrase. If you leave it like this it would be very easy to access your router and therefor your computers. ;)

I don't know the name of the firewalls... I just use the one in the PC and in the laptop.
Then you are most likely using windows firewall.

add in an "Everybody" group
Sorry, that should have been "Everyone".

Here is are instructions (http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/e2e03106-2546-4085-bd07-6c3ac95003111033.mspx) on getting file and print sharing going on vista. Sounds like you have already done most of this stuff, so look through and make sure you did, then at the bottom there are instructions for allowing sharing in windows firewall.

A firewall, in case you don't know, when doing its job properly blocks unwanted access to your computer. In order for certain programs, like file and printer sharing to work properly you have to make an exceptions for that particular program using the firewall settings. Or as it is often called making a "rule".

If you're still having trouble sharing files or a printer on a network, make sure Windows Firewall is not blocking File and Printer Sharing. Here's how:

1. Open Windows Firewall by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Security, and then clicking Windows Firewall.

2. Click Allow a program through Windows Firewall. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3. In the Program or port list, make sure the File and Printer Sharing check box is selected, and then click OK.

If you still have problems let us know and we can take it from there. :)

[J McRae]

I went through the instructions as you recommended. Network discovery was on "custom" so I changed it to "ON"; File sharing was "ON"; Public folder sharing is "Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open, change, and create files"; Printer sharing is "ON"; but when it came to sharing specific folders or the Public folders, I got the message "Your folder could not be shared" (however, the "sharing icon" was displayed on a couple of the folders); finally, I turned Password protected sharing "ON".

Finally, I confirmed that the File and Printer Sharing check box was selected in the Windows Firewall. (both the Vista PC and laptop's firewalls are on)

I am uncessfull when I click Start and search for \\<computer name of Vista PC>

While I was typing this reply the first time, I was disconnected from the network and the Microsoft application became unavailable. In order to reconnect, I had to go to the Linksys icon and select "use the XP..." I was automatically connected but with a very low signal strength. Keeping in mind that this is my first experience with wireless networking, should I be worried?

Please don't give up on me. I'm willing to start all over again if needed.

[jlreich]

Are you able to use the printer from your laptop? If not, have you shared the printer?

Try this -

After you have shared the folder (its showing the sharing icon).

R-click on the folder you are sharing
click properties
click the sharing tab
Advanced sharing button
Permissions button
In the text box type everyone, then click "check names" button
hit OK
hit "Apply" in the permission window, then "OK" your way out.

Check if you can now access the folder from the laptop.

Let me know how it goes.

[J McRae]

Forgive me if I've posted this reply twice. I thought I replied but I guess I wasn't logged on.

It's "no" to everything. I have never been able to print from the laptop and I still can't.

I can only get to the network by going to My Network Places and then selecting View Workgroup Computers. When I try to connect, I get a "not accessible" error.

Interestingly, I can connect to the laptop from the PC by using the Run: \\ <computer name> but when I try it on the laptop, I get a "the server <computer name> could not be found on the network" error.

Thanks

[jlreich]

Disable windows firewall and try it. It still sounds like the firewall is blocking it.

Click the start button > control panel > security > turn windows firewall on or off.

[mjc]

And if you are a little leery about going around without a firewall, disconnect the router from the internet...what you are trying to establish, right now is two-way communication between the two machines.

If it works without the firewall, then we can help you with finding something a little more refined than windows native app or help you tune the windows one.

[J McRae]

I turned both firewalls off - the laptop and the PC

Still unable to connect... The network path was not found...

[mjc]

OK...time to start looking at things like 'case'...are the names on both machines exactly the same...down to even the same case...all caps, all lowercase, mixed?

[J McRae]

I disconnected the router from the internet... neither machine would connect... "the network location cannot be reached", "Windows cannot access <computer name>; network path not found"

With regard to the case... it DOES appear differently in the router than in other places. The PC has the computer name all caps and the router has the last two digets in lower case. HOWEVER, I have tried all combinations!

[mjc]

Ok...without the internet connected neither machine can see the other?

[J McRae]

That's correct. I unplugged the router from thr internet and connected the cable modem to the PC.
I tried to connect the laptop to the PC using "Run" (using all variations of the computer name) and got the same error message.

[mjc]

Ok...both machines need to be connected to the router for this...just unplug it (router) from the internet. You can plug it back in after the test...

Also, you should probably be conducting any configuration of the router with a wired connection...

[J McRae]

I'm having some problems with the PC. It freezes on shutdown and restart. I am currently running Ad-Aware.

When the scan is finished, I will disconnect the cable modem from the PC; attach Cat 5 from the PC to slot 1 in the router; attach Cat 5 from the laptop to slot 2 in the router; and power on the router. Correct?

And then I should use Run: \\computer name?

[Paul Komski]

Personally I would unshare all currently shared resources and enable Simple File Sharing (http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/126910-simple-file-sharing-enable.html). If not then at least ensure that you have created a user account with the same name and password (and set a password if there is not one there already) that has been set on the other computer (and even if you are not currently logged on to it on the computer you are sitting at. And vice versa of course - and then, having first unshared them, re-share any resources that you want to share.

PS And then reboot both PCs.

[mjc]

Yes...and what Paul said, too...

The 'freeze' on startup/shutdown could be the machine looking for 'missing' network resources.

[J McRae]

I did the cable disconnect and reconnect to no avail. The PC recognized the laptop but not vice versa.

I re-did the cables so at least both computers had internet access.

[Paul Komski]

"The PC recognized the laptop but not vice versa." Does this recognition just mean recognition but with network access still denied etc?

Can you ping by network address in both directions? If the laptop can be "seen" then pinging it should not be a problem. If you don't know the address enter ipconfig /all into a command prompt. The prompt can be opened by entering cmd into the run box as well as by other means.

Then at the command prompt enter:
ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx for the PC you are trying to access; it likely starts 192.168.---.---

If you can ping by address then try by the computer name(s) :
ping computername
A PC should certainly succeed in pinging itself both by address and name.

Are you absolutely sure that no firewalls of any kind are running on both PCs. No Norton IS, No Windows Firewall, No Sunbelt PF, etc.

Maybe also check that the TCP/IP settings for the network card are set to "Obtain an IP address automatically" to ensure that there is no conflict with the PC and the router both attempting to set the address.

[J McRae]

Symantec firewall was ON on the PC. I turned it off and made sure the Windows firewall was still off.

I get four replies when I ping the ip address & computer name in both directions. Yet I am still unable to connect when I click on the computer icon in My Network Places on laptop.

When I attempt to connect with "Run" \\ip address or computer name, I get the following error:

"... is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server..."

Logon failure: user account restriction. Possible reasons are blank passwords not allowed, logon hour restriction or a policy restriction has been enforced."

I am listed as an administrator on both machines. We do not have any logon / user passwords for either machine. There is a password and confirmation needed to log on to the network.

[Paul Komski]

We do not have any logon / user passwords for either machine.
Particularly when there is an access problem like this, it is a good principle to use the same logon name and password (and ensure to set a password even if you also set the PC up so that it will autologon to that account).

Remove all shared resources on both machines and reboot to get back to a flat playing field. Then share a folder on both machines (while logged on with the same username/password) and put that folder, for now anyway, outside the Documents and Settings area such as a new dedicated folder in the C: drive; that takes all local users out from the sphere of influence of the Documents and Settings area.

You are very close to getting reciprocal access and it looks to me like a permissions issue - particularly if you are not using simple file sharing. If you do try simple file sharing then do, once again unshare all resources and reshare any from the same level playing field approach. This may seem like overkill but windows retains all sorts of old settings in the background when changes are made in the foreground - particularly as things apply to network resources.

[jlreich]

Set the network type to "private" and not "public" in the network and sharing center.

Turn off password protected sharing.

Turn off media sharing as this can only complicate and slow things down. You can later turn it on if desired.

http://i37.tinypic.com/29byqgh.jpg

If this doesn't help I certainly agree to unshare everything and start from scratch.

[Paul Komski]

Turn off password protected sharing.

Just be aware that if password protected sharing is off anyone who accesses your computer from the network can access your Public folder with no questions asked. But note that this only applies to your public folder and not to shares created outside your public folder, so it doesn't open all access to all shares without the need for a logon/password.

That is just one reason to simplify access permissions at this stage by having the same user name and password on both PCs. When this is done then the system knows, in the background, that the accessing user has the same credentials as the current user and doesn't need to consider whether to block or not.

[J McRae]

I'll try these recommendations. If you don't hear from me soon, it's because Katy, TX is virtually in the path of hurricane Ike and my attention is being drawn elsewhere!

Thanks again.

[mjc]

Batten down the hatches and don't worry about something like a router...stay safe.

[jlreich]

No doubt. You much bigger things to worry about than file sharing. Stay safe. ;)

[J McRae]

Thanks guys!
I'll check back in on Monday.