Computer on Network Can't See Itself

I have two computers on my Windows XP Home network. One is a desktop
computer, which is connected by Ethernet cable to my DSL modem/router. The
other computer is a laptop computer, which has a wireless adapter.

For several years, I have been able to share files between the two
computers. Now, however, when I go to My Network Places / Microsoft Windows
Networks and select my network name, I cannot see the laptop computer from
either the desktop computer or the laptop computer itself. However, from
both computers, I can see the desktop computer in the network, and I can
share the desktop computer's files.

Internet access from the laptop computer is fine, and both computers respond
to pings from the other. My wireless router sees the name of my laptop
computer.

I tried turning the Windows XP firewall off on both computers, but the
problem persists. I am not running any other firewall software.

I have run the Network Setup Wizard several times on each computer, and file
sharing is still enabled for my folders on the laptop computer.

Does anyone have an idea which step I can try next to fix this problem?

Thank you.

Eddie
Wed Apr 30 13:08:23 PDT 2008

What is your laptop's name? Check by right-clicking "My Computer" and
clicking "Properties." Press Windows+R or go to Start > Run... to open the
Run command and type two backslashes (\\) followed by your computer name.
For example, something like "\\Laptop" and hit Run. What error message do
you get?


On 4/30/08 2:56 PM, in article
BF865058-FA86-48E4-9CCC-24FC0EE549DA@microsoft.com, "Doug"
<Doug@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I have two computers on my Windows XP Home network. One is a desktop
> computer, which is connected by Ethernet cable to my DSL modem/router. The
> other computer is a laptop computer, which has a wireless adapter.
>
> For several years, I have been able to share files between the two
> computers. Now, however, when I go to My Network Places / Microsoft Windows
> Networks and select my network name, I cannot see the laptop computer from
> either the desktop computer or the laptop computer itself. However, from
> both computers, I can see the desktop computer in the network, and I can
> share the desktop computer's files.
>
> Internet access from the laptop computer is fine, and both computers respond
> to pings from the other. My wireless router sees the name of my laptop
> computer.
>
> I tried turning the Windows XP firewall off on both computers, but the
> problem persists. I am not running any other firewall software.
>
> I have run the Network Setup Wizard several times on each computer, and file
> sharing is still enabled for my folders on the laptop computer.
>
> Does anyone have an idea which step I can try next to fix this problem?
>
> Thank you.

tek
Wed Apr 30 15:26:47 PDT 2008

On Apr 30, 4:08=A0pm, Eddie Cosma <e_co...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> What is your laptop's name? Check by right-clicking "My Computer" and
> clicking "Properties." Press Windows+R or go to Start > Run... to open the=

> Run command and type two backslashes (\\) followed by your computer name.
> For example, something like "\\Laptop" and hit Run. What error message do
> you get?
>
> On 4/30/08 2:56 PM, in article
> BF865058-FA86-48E4-9CCC-24FC0EE54...@microsoft.com, "Doug"
>
>
>
> <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > I have two computers on my Windows XP Home network. =A0One is a desktop
> > computer, which is connected by Ethernet cable to my DSL modem/router. =
=A0The
> > other computer is a laptop computer, which has a wireless adapter.
>
> > For several years, I have been able to share files between the two
> > computers. =A0Now, however, when I go to My Network Places / Microsoft W=
indows
> > Networks and select my network name, I cannot see the laptop computer fr=
om
> > either the desktop computer or the laptop computer itself. =A0However, f=
rom
> > both computers, I can see the desktop computer in the network, and I can=

> > share the desktop computer's files.
>
> > Internet access from the laptop computer is fine, and both computers res=
pond
> > to pings from the other. =A0My wireless router sees the name of my lapto=
p
> > computer.
>
> > I tried turning the Windows XP firewall off on both computers, but the
> > problem persists. =A0I am not running any other firewall software.
>
> > I have run the Network Setup Wizard several times on each computer, and =
file
> > sharing is still enabled for my folders on the laptop computer.
>
> > Does anyone have an idea which step I can try next to fix this problem?
>
> > Thank you.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -


It appears the MS firewall settings need to be adjusted. The file/
print sharing (NetBIOS) is being blocked on the laptop. I would start
there to see what the settings are on the desktop and make the latop's
settings the same.

Doug
Wed Apr 30 17:08:00 PDT 2008

Thank you for your reply. When I follow your instruction, a window opens up
that is correctly titled with my laptop computer's name. In it are a bunch
of printer drivers, plus a folder containing "Scheduled Tasks."


"Eddie Cosma" wrote:

> What is your laptop's name? Check by right-clicking "My Computer" and
> clicking "Properties." Press Windows+R or go to Start > Run... to open the
> Run command and type two backslashes (\\) followed by your computer name.
> For example, something like "\\Laptop" and hit Run. What error message do
> you get?
>
>
> On 4/30/08 2:56 PM, in article
> BF865058-FA86-48E4-9CCC-24FC0EE549DA@microsoft.com, "Doug"
> <Doug@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> > I have two computers on my Windows XP Home network. One is a desktop
> > computer, which is connected by Ethernet cable to my DSL modem/router. The
> > other computer is a laptop computer, which has a wireless adapter.
> >
> > For several years, I have been able to share files between the two
> > computers. Now, however, when I go to My Network Places / Microsoft Windows
> > Networks and select my network name, I cannot see the laptop computer from
> > either the desktop computer or the laptop computer itself. However, from
> > both computers, I can see the desktop computer in the network, and I can
> > share the desktop computer's files.
> >
> > Internet access from the laptop computer is fine, and both computers respond
> > to pings from the other. My wireless router sees the name of my laptop
> > computer.
> >
> > I tried turning the Windows XP firewall off on both computers, but the
> > problem persists. I am not running any other firewall software.
> >
> > I have run the Network Setup Wizard several times on each computer, and file
> > sharing is still enabled for my folders on the laptop computer.
> >
> > Does anyone have an idea which step I can try next to fix this problem?
> >
> > Thank you.
>
>

Doug
Wed Apr 30 18:35:53 PDT 2008

Thank you very much for your help. Can you give me a few tips on exactly
where to find these settings?

"tek" wrote:
>
>
> It appears the MS firewall settings need to be adjusted. The file/
> print sharing (NetBIOS) is being blocked on the laptop. I would start
> there to see what the settings are on the desktop and make the latop's
> settings the same.
>

Chuck
Thu May 01 10:18:09 PDT 2008

On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:56:01 -0700, Doug <Doug@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I have two computers on my Windows XP Home network. One is a desktop
>computer, which is connected by Ethernet cable to my DSL modem/router. The
>other computer is a laptop computer, which has a wireless adapter.
>
>For several years, I have been able to share files between the two
>computers. Now, however, when I go to My Network Places / Microsoft Windows
>Networks and select my network name, I cannot see the laptop computer from
>either the desktop computer or the laptop computer itself. However, from
>both computers, I can see the desktop computer in the network, and I can
>share the desktop computer's files.
>
>Internet access from the laptop computer is fine, and both computers respond
>to pings from the other. My wireless router sees the name of my laptop
>computer.
>
>I tried turning the Windows XP firewall off on both computers, but the
>problem persists. I am not running any other firewall software.
>
>I have run the Network Setup Wizard several times on each computer, and file
>sharing is still enabled for my folders on the laptop computer.
>
>Does anyone have an idea which step I can try next to fix this problem?
>
>Thank you.


What antivirus protection do you use?
<http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html>
http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2005/05/your-personal-firewall-can-either-help.html

Have you removed any malware recently?
<http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2005/05/problems-with-lsp-winsock-layer-in.html>
http://networking.nitecruzr.net/2005/05/problems-with-lsp-winsock-layer-in.html

If no help from the above, lets look at logs from "browstat status", "ipconfig
/all", "net config server", and "net config workstation", from each computer.
Read this article, and linked articles, and follow instructions precisely
(download browstat!):
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-network-neighborhood.html#AskingForHelp

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://networking.nitecruzr.net/

tek
Wed May 07 09:37:30 PDT 2008

On Apr 30, 9:35=A0pm, Doug <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Thank you very much for your help. =A0Can you give me a few tips on exactl=
y
> where to find these settings?
>
>
>
> "tek" wrote:
>
> > It appears the MS firewall settings need to be adjusted. =A0The file/
> > print sharing (NetBIOS) is being blocked on the laptop. I would start
> > there to see what the settings are on the desktop and make the latop's
> > settings the same.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -


Start -> Control Panel -> Windows Firewall -> Exceptions (tab)

tek
Wed May 07 09:39:32 PDT 2008

On May 7, 12:37=A0pm, tek <kevind...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Apr 30, 9:35=A0pm, Doug <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> > Thank you very much for your help. =A0Can you give me a few tips on exac=
tly
> > where to find these settings?
>
> > "tek" wrote:
>
> > > It appears the MS firewall settings need to be adjusted. =A0The file/
> > > print sharing (NetBIOS) is being blocked on the laptop. I would start
> > > there to see what the settings are on the desktop and make the latop's=

> > > settings the same.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Start -> Control Panel -> Windows Firewall -> Exceptions (tab)

Also check the Advanced (tab)

Exasperated
Tue Jun 10 14:02:00 PDT 2008

I'm having the exact same problem and I have traversed the entire internet
without finding a solution. I have, however, found that many people have the
same problem. It's bad enough Microsoft creates these problems. What does it
take to get them to solve them. This would be a helpful threat if someone
from Microsoft would actually chime in and SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

"Doug" wrote:

> I have two computers on my Windows XP Home network. One is a desktop
> computer, which is connected by Ethernet cable to my DSL modem/router. The
> other computer is a laptop computer, which has a wireless adapter.
>
> For several years, I have been able to share files between the two
> computers. Now, however, when I go to My Network Places / Microsoft Windows
> Networks and select my network name, I cannot see the laptop computer from
> either the desktop computer or the laptop computer itself. However, from
> both computers, I can see the desktop computer in the network, and I can
> share the desktop computer's files.
>
> Internet access from the laptop computer is fine, and both computers respond
> to pings from the other. My wireless router sees the name of my laptop
> computer.
>
> I tried turning the Windows XP firewall off on both computers, but the
> problem persists. I am not running any other firewall software.
>
> I have run the Network Setup Wizard several times on each computer, and file
> sharing is still enabled for my folders on the laptop computer.
>
> Does anyone have an idea which step I can try next to fix this problem?
>
> Thank you.