Workgroup not accessible XP and 2003

[zillah 5]

I have got 2 PCs (laptop win2003 SP1) and Desktop (windows XP professional SP2). There is no firewall on both PC,,,they are connecting to each other through ADSL Linksys WAG54g V2, they can ping each other, and they can ping the ADSL router, and they can access the internet without any problem. Desktop is connected wired to the router, laptop is connected wirelessly to the router,,,,they are under same workgroup name as well. Recently (suddenly) I tried to access the folders on winXP from win2003 (which is I used to do before without any problem), I recieved this error message:

Workgroup not accessible. You night not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.

[lewmur 355]

I have got 2 PCs (laptop win2003 SP1) and Desktop (windows XP professional SP2). There is no firewall on both PC,,,they are connecting to each other through ADSL Linksys WAG54g V2, they can ping each other, and they can ping the ADSL router, and they can access the internet without any problem. Desktop is connected wired to the router, laptop is connected wirelessly to the router,,,,they are under same workgroup name as well. Recently (suddenly) I tried to access the folders on winXP from win2003 (which is I used to do before without any problem), I recieved this error message:

Ahh!!! Where to start?? First of all, it is NOT a hardware problem if both computers can still access the Internet. Have you done anything on either computer to change the user configuration. Did you add any new hardware? Installed any new software? Have you scanned your computers for malware? Go to the command line on both computers and run ipconfig/all and make sure both computers have the same subnet mask and the same domain range. eg: 192.168.x.y where x is the same on both and y is not.Get back with the results.BTW, do you have the XP's drive mapped as a drive on the 2003 or are you trying to access it through "My Network Places?" Edited May 4, 2006 by lewmur

[zillah 5]

Have you done anything on either computer to change the user configuration. Did you add any new hardware? Installed any new software?

No.

Have you scanned your computers for malware?

Yes. But I have to do it again.

Go to the command line on both computers and run ipconfig/all and make sure both computers have the same subnet mask and the same domain range. eg: 192.168.x.y where x is the same on both and y is not.

Yes it is. Because both of them they get IP addresses from DHCP ADSL router.

BTW, do you have the XP's drive mapped as a drive on the 2003 or are you trying to access it through "My Network Places?"

"My Network Places" Edited May 4, 2006 by zillah

[lewmur 355]

"My Network Places"

Then try mapping the drive. If it asks for a user name and password, use "administrator" for the user and the XP machine's administrator's password.

[zillah 5]

Then try mapping the drive. If it asks for a user name and password, use "administrator" for the user and the XP machine's administrator's password.

I will try this.I tried also run-->cmd-->\\192.168.1.65 (without C$) ,,,I was able to access the C partition and D partition.

[Marsden11 0]

Have you tried to Share any folders?

[zillah 5]

Have you tried to Share any folders?

Yes.I am experiencing this problem recently. Before I have got no ptoblem

[lewmur 355]

Have you tried to Share any folders?

If they hadn't been shared, they wouldn't show in "My Network Places."

[Temmu 1,931]

I will try this.I tried also run-->cmd-->\\192.168.1.65 (without C$) ,,,I was able to access the C partition and D partition.

from which machine did you run the command?browsing a server (the \\) should not reveal the entire contents of its hard drives, unless, of course you'd shared both c & d again, and for "everyone" to at least read... (not talking about c$, d$... the default adminstrative shares...)perhaps restarting the "server" service on your xp machine would do the trick.

[zillah 5]

from which machine did you run the command?

From laptop (win2003)

and for "everyone" to at least read

Yes, when I tried to delete default group "everyone" and add another one , it gave me error message.

perhaps restarting the "server" service on your xp machine would do the trick.

I did not get what you meant , could you please explain it

[zillah 5]

Then try mapping the drive. If it asks for a user name and password, use "administrator" for the user and the XP machine's administrator's password.

I tried to map drive from Laptop (win2003) I was able to get in straight away, without using username administrator and his password.

[Temmu 1,931]

From laptop (win2003)Yes, when I tried to delete default group "everyone" and add another one , it gave me error message.I did not get what you meant , could you please explain it

there you go. with everyone being gone, there went your access.as everyone is a system created account with membership dictated by the os, (guests and authenticated users in xp sp2, and anonymouse users too, before that) i'm not sure you could re-create it, short of a reinstall.you could instead use the "authenticated users" account and grant them read or whatever access you wish.====you have xp pro, so you can turn off simple file sharing to manage sharing by users and groups, by opening my computer, tools, folder options, view tab, scroll to bottom and un-select "simple file sharing"edit - make sure you click apply, and then, apply to all folders (buttons)then you'll have to go to the root of c: (c:\) r. click, sharing, new share (button), permissions (button) add "authenticated users" and grant them the level of permission you desire. Edited May 5, 2006 by Temmu

[zillah 5]

by opening my computer, tools, folder options, view tab, scroll to bottom and un-select "simple file sharing"

It was already un-select (un-tick)

new share (button), permissions (button) add "authenticated users" and grant them the level of permission you desire.

I unshared and shared the partitions (C, D) again (I did press on "Apply" button ) , and I left the default permission which is "everyone" (not for specific group or user ).I was not able to use "My Network Place" to access the XP PC from win2003(i.e same error in my early thread). Edited May 6, 2006 by zillah

[Temmu 1,931]

is the "computer browser" service "started" in your services? (r click my pc, manage, services) ensure it's on automatic (r click it, properties)if it is started, then stop it (r click, stop) and restart it.observe both machines for this.

[zillah 5]

Thanks Temmu.I followed your instructions from beggining and it worked now,,,I do not know where was the problem.

[Temmu 1,931]

good news indeed!

[zillah 5]

good news indeed!

The same problem happened again. Edited May 20, 2006 by zillah

[Temmu 1,931]

do you restart your pc's from time to time?or, when was the last time either was restarted, and if one was, was the other?

[zillah 5]

do you restart your pc's from time to time?

Yes i do , I switch off both PC when I finish my work.Just now (while I am writing this reply) I booted both PCs.

[Temmu 1,931]

...and...

[zillah 5]

...and...

It did not work

[Temmu 1,931]

on each pc, is the computer browser service set to automatic, and is it started?on the wireless laptop, can you browse the internet?

[Temmu 1,931]

i think you may have a "master browser" problem - this has nothing to do with internet explorer or other web browsers......and yes, i know it is a royal pain in the... to troubleshoot.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/188305/en-us is the definitive troubleshooting list.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/135404/en-us is the definitive troubleshooting list. also, see references at bottom.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/832017/en-us is the definitive list of ports you need to do client server. lots can be ignored, such as the exchange and cluster server ports... from that page: (ie if you have a firewall, these ports need to be opened.)

Computer BrowserThe Computer Browser system service maintains an up-to-date list of computers on your network and supplies the list to programs that request it. The Computer Browser service is used by Windows-based computers to view network domains and resources. Computers that are designated as browsers maintain browse lists that contain all shared resources that are used on the network. Earlier versions of Windows programs, such as My Network Places, the net view command, and Windows Explorer, all require browsing capability. For example, when you open My Network Places on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows 95, a list of domains and computers appears. To display this list, the computer obtains a copy of the browse list from a computer that is designated as a browser.System service name: BrowserApplication protocol Protocol Ports NetBIOS Datagram Service UDP 138 NetBIOS Name Resolution UDP 137 NetBIOS Session Service TCP 139

also, there's the master browser toolkit, i have it, but can't seem to find it on ms.send me a message (pm) requisting it & i'll send it to ya... (it lists what type of browser your pc is, where the master browser is, can configure your pc... but that's about it.)

[zillah 5]

also, there's the master browser toolkit, i have it, but can't seem to find it on ms.send me a message (pm) requisting it & i'll send it to ya... (it lists what type of browser your pc is, where the master browser is, can configure your pc... but that's about it.)

Thanks Temmu for this great effort.

[Temmu 1,931]

you're certainly welcome!

[Marsden11 0]

Could you screen shot the CMD ipconfig/all on both machines?

[zillah 5]

On 2003

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>ipconfig /allWindows IP Configuration Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LatitudeD600 Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : domain_not_set.invalidEthernet adapter Wireless Network Connection: Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : domain_not_set.invalid Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Dell Wireless WLAN 1450 Dual Band WLAN Mini-PCI Card Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-90-4B-89-9D-D1 DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : No IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.64 Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1 DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1 DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 214.43.21.21 196.230.242.223 192.168.1.1 Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, May 26, 2006 10:45:02 AM Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, May 27, 2006 10:45:02 AMEthernet adapter {54E6B58C-8452-4D8E-ACB5-849D52A4090F}: Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Nortel IPSECSHM Adapter - Deterministic Network Enhancer Miniport Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 44-45-53-54-42-00 DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0 Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0 Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

On XP :

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]© Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.C:\Documents and Settings\sarooj>ipconfig /allWindows IP Configuration Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : p4 Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : domain_not_set.invalidEthernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 3: Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected Description . . . . . . . . . . . : D-Link AirPlus XtremeG+ DWL-G520+ Wireless PCI Adapter Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0D-88-EF-CD-99Ethernet adapter 3Com First Row: Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : domain_not_set.invalid Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com EtherLink XL 10/100 PCI TX NIC(3C905B-TX) Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-10-5A-6D-31-A5 Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.65 Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1 DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1 DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 214.43.21.21 196.230.242.223 192.168.1.1 Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, May 26, 2006 6:36:25 PM Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, May 27, 2006 6:36:25 PM

on each pc, is the computer browser service set to automatic, and is it started?

I forgot to answer this, yes it is.

on the wireless laptop, can you browse the internet?

Yes I can.

[Marsden11 0]

Generally, servers are assigned static IPs and are not taking addresses from routers.

[Temmu 1,931]

oops, i forgot.is the "tcp/ip netbios helper" service started? is it set to automatic?would you please stop and start both the "computer browser" and the "tcp/ip netbios helper" service?

[zillah 5]

is the "tcp/ip netbios helper" service started? is it set to automatic?would you please stop and start both the "computer browser" and the "tcp/ip netbios helper" service?

I did , the same porblem is still going on.