Windows XP Networking Machines On Same Workgroup Cant See Each Other?

Question

Trying to get my network back up with two windows xp machines. This is an ethernet peer to peer network. We just share files and a printer. Unfortunately I cant get the network back up. Firewalls are down both seem to be in the same workgroup however each machine does not see the other one. Appreciate any advice. I have run the network wizard several times. Both machines are in a workgroup called OFFICE but they dont see each other.

Answer 1

you did not indicate a time frame here that the computers were up and running, however:I believe you might be able to solve this issue by trying to let the computers stay up and running for an extended period of time - like 30 mins or so, to let the computer browser have a chance to locate the master browser. what I have found when this occurs if I open up IE - not firefox and surf the net on both computers often times this will speed up the completion of polling the network for the master browser. The master browser is the computer which tells other computers what computers are in the same subnet you are in.

All this assumes that you properly ran network wizard. here is a handy little tool for repairing the TCP/IP setting in WinXP : xptcprep.exe , just do a google search for that name and you will find about a dozen websites that host this file, D/L the program and install it then run the tool (on both machines)to re-set default setting back to MSFT defaults, then re-run network wizard, browse internet on both machines and this should get you back up and working. it also helps to share a folder on both machine sometimes I have found.

I have had this same problem with XP several times and that is what I had to do. one last thought, make sure you have enabled file and printer sharing....hummm, one last thing, your router could be improperly configured to "Filter Internet NAT Redirection" - This will have the effect of blocking local computers from seeing each other. The name is misleading, but enabling this feature will instantly block all local computers from seeing each other.

Answer 2

In the main computer where the printer is installed, just go to the Printer folder inside of Control Panel. Right click your All in one printer and then Click Sharing. Click on Share this printer in the window that opens and then hit OK.

Get the IP address of your computer, go to Start, Run, type "cmd" enter, type "ipconfig" enter. Write down where it says "Local Area Connection" IP address: "numbers with dots". After this, move to the computer without a printer.

In the other computer, go to Start, Run, type "\\ipaddress\" where ipaddress are the numbers of the 1st computer. When a windows opens asking for a user name and password input those credentials from your computer. If it doesn't ask it will be even better. Now with this command you will open a folder and the printer will be there. Double click the printer and now the 2nd computer will be able to use it.

BTW, both computers have to be in the same WORKGROUP. to check this: Right click My Computer icon on the desktop, go to properties, Computer name tab. There you can see the WORKGROUP name and even change it.

Answer 3

"This is an ethernet peer to peer network". To me, that means PC number 1 has 2 network interface cards, one to your cable / DSL modem, and one connected to the second PC. You DON"T use a router. If true:

Try MSHOME instead of OFFICE, the XP Home default workgroup.

In the Network Setup Wizard, get one PC working first. Then, power up the second PC and run the Wizard again, except tell XP that this PC shares it's Internet connection with another computer.

If false, please restate your question with router details.

Answer 4

Do you have an identical user account created on each machine? Can you ping both machines by ip? If you can't ping then you need to get that fixed if you can then try and access the system by going to start run type in \\x.x.x.x\c$ where x is replaced by that systems ip address.

Answer 5

Try disabling any firewall software on both PCs and retry. If that works, you'll need to determine how to configure the firewall software to allow the file sharing traffic between the two computers.

Answer 6

We have the same problem. It's hit and miss for us, but usually for me to get into my husband's XP system from 7, he has to open his shared document file and for some reason it'll work. Sometimes. I hope you have better luck than we have!

Answer 7

Create new folders on each PC & mark them as "shared".
Then you will see those folders on the network.

ALSO .... the Administrator account of the PCs must create a user account for the other PC to login over the network.
(create an account for yourself on each PC in order to log in remotely)

regards,
Philip T

Answer 8

I often wonder about this myself. When I turn on a PC in my network, it takes it like 5-10 minutes to show up on my Mac.

Answer 9

goto properties of my computer
in computer name tab click change button
select member of domain nd give there OFFICE
do this 4 both PC u can see them

Answer 10

What worked for me once was to flush the DNS. I believe u know how to do this but..... ---> start--->run--->cmd--->ipconfig /flushdns

Hope this works :)