[SOLVED] Always-on ADSL, Router/modem & PC Network

[gcha]

I have a problem with my new always-on ADSL line and my PC network.
I had four PC’s in a wired network connected through a hub each running XP (H) SP2. Each PC had its own ID in the range 0 to 10. Each PC was connected directly to the Internet on a single dial up connection – a bit odd but there were reasons that are not relevant to my current problem.
I have now moved over to an always-on ADSL line using a router/modem (Billion 7401VGP) with four LAN ports. I have now connected all four PC’s to the router. My problem is that if I maintain the fixed ID’s none of the computers can access the Internet but can see and connect to each other. If I change the ID’s to automatic all the computers can access the Internet but cannot see or connect to each other. At the moment I have one PC on automatic ID selection to connect to the Internet and the other three with their specific ID’s. The three PC’s can see each and connect to each other but not the Internet. The fourth can access the Internet but cannot see or connect to the other three
I dare say there is a simple answer to the problem using ICS but it eludes me, as there is no connection icon to use to configure a host/client PC. I did try using the hub with a single CAT 5 cable to the router and connecting the four PC’s to the hub but this gave the same result.

What am I doing wrong?

[johnwill]

Forget about ICS, it is NOT the solution to this issue!

Let's pick two of the machines and try to solve the issue on them, the rest should fall in line when we do.

First, configure the two for automatic IP addressing.
Next, please post this for each of the machines.

Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD to open a command prompt:

Type the following two commands, one at a time, followed by the Enter key:

NBTSTAT -n

IPCONFIG /ALL

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

If you are on a machine with no network connection, use a floppy, USB disk, or a CD-RW disk to transfer a text file with the information to allow pasting it here.



Please post this as well.

Try these simple tests.

Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD to open a command prompt:

Type the following commands, one at a time, followed by the Enter key:

IPCONFIG

PING <computer_IP_address>

PING <default_gateway_address>

PING 216.109.112.135

PING yahoo.com

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

<computer_IP_address> - The IP Address of your computer, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above.

<default_gateway_address> - The IP address of the Default Gateway, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above.

If you are on a machine with no network connection, use a floppy, USB disk, or a CD-RW disk to transfer a text file with the information to allow pasting it here.

[gcha]

Thanks Johnwill for a very prompt reply. I the information you requested is as follows - I hope it is correct!

Machine Three

C:\Documents and Settings\user>NBTSTAT -n

Local Area Connection:
Node IpAddress: [192.168.1.100] Scope Id: []

NetBIOS Local Name Table

Name Type Status
---------------------------------------------
THREE <00> UNIQUE Registered
THREE <20> UNIQUE Registered
MSHOME <00> GROUP Registered
MSHOME <1E> GROUP Registered
MSHOME <1D> UNIQUE Registered
..__MSBROWSE__.<01> GROUP Registered

C:\Documents and Settings\user>IPCONFIG/ALL

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : THREE
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : ULi PCI Fast Ethernet Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-30-18-AA-2B-D7
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, March 31, 2008 9:34:47 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, March 31, 2008 9:34:47 PM

Machine Five


Name Type Status
---------------------------------------------
FIVE <00> UNIQUE Registered
FIVE <20> UNIQUE Registered
MSHOME <00> GROUP Registered
MSHOME <1E> GROUP Registered
MSHOME <1D> UNIQUE Registered
..__MSBROWSE__.<01> GROUP Registered

C:\Documents and Settings\Doug>IPCONFIG/All

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : five
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-11-09-DA-58-B9
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.102
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, March 31, 2008 10:51:55 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, March 31, 2008 10:51:55 PM

C:\Documents and Settings\Doug>
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\user>"Application Data"^P


Computer Three

C:\Documents and Settings\user>IPCONFIG

Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254

C:\Documents and Settings\user>Ping 192.168.1.100

Pinging 192.168.1.100 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.100:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

C:\Documents and Settings\user>PING 192.168.1.254

Pinging 192.168.1.254 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.1.254: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.254: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.254: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.254: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.254:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

C:\Documents and Settings\user>PING yahoo.com

Pinging yahoo.com [66.94.234.13] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 66.94.234.13: bytes=32 time=1476ms TTL=48
Request timed out.
Reply from 66.94.234.13: bytes=32 time=416ms TTL=47
Reply from 66.94.234.13: bytes=32 time=418ms TTL=48

Ping statistics for 66.94.234.13:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 3, Lost = 1 (25% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 416ms, Maximum = 1476ms, Average = 770ms

C:\Documents and Settings\user>

Computer Five

C:\Documents and Settings\Doug>IPCONFIG

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.102
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254

C:\Documents and Settings\Doug>PING 192.168.1.102

Pinging 192.168.1.102 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.1.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.102:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Doug>PING 192.168.1.254

Pinging 192.168.1.254 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.1.254: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.254: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.254: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.254: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.254:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Doug>PING yahoo.com

Pinging yahoo.com [216.109.112.135] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 216.109.112.135: bytes=32 time=776ms TTL=46
Reply from 216.109.112.135: bytes=32 time=439ms TTL=46
Reply from 216.109.112.135: bytes=32 time=440ms TTL=46
Reply from 216.109.112.135: bytes=32 time=440ms TTL=46

Ping statistics for 216.109.112.135:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 439ms, Maximum = 776ms, Average = 523ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Doug>

[johnwill]

Those machines have Internet connectivity, you can ping Internet sites by name and IP address.

However, since both of these machines think they're the master browser, it would appear you have a firewall configuration issue preventing them from seeing each other on the network. Can you ping between them by computer name?

[gcha]

Thanks again

I have pinged five from three and vice versa with the results below. I must admit to not really understanding what the results mean!
I have also disabled the fire wall (Zone Alarm) on each PC and in the work group window on Three it only shows the icon for three and in the window for Five it shows the icon for three and can access it. I am confused!!

From Computer Three

C:\Documents and Settings\user>ping five

Pinging five [192.168.1.102] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.1.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.102: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.102:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

From Computer Five

C:\Documents and Settings\Doug>ping three
Ping request could not find host three. Please check the name and try again.

C:\Documents and Settings\Doug>ping three
Ping request could not find host three. Please check the name and try again.

C:\Documents and Settings\Doug>

[johnwill]

Well, it appears that three has some sort of firewall still blocking the ping requests. That's most likely why this is not working.

[gcha]

Hi Again

I am still confused as I have certainly switched off the firewall on three and for good measure on five without success. I am going to start again from scratch just to make sure I am not missing anything and will let you know how I get on

[gcha]

Hi again

Sorry, I have been away for few days and haven't yet got round to going back to the start. I will do in the next few days and get back

[gcha]

Hi again

This is what I have done:

List of PC network adapter ID’s

PC 1 192.168.1.105/255.255.255.0
PC 3 192.168.1.100/255.255.255.0
PC 4 192.168.1.101/255.255.255.0
PC 5 192.168.1.106/255.255.255.0

With the TCP/IP set to automatic I can successfully ping each PC from any other PC using the above ID’s. Pinging by PC name produces no response.
Each PC can connect to the Web but cannot connect to each other in the LAN

Setting a specific ID for each PC in the TCP/IP properties I can still ping successfully using the network adapter ID’s listed above and using both the TCP/ID ID number and the PC name.
Each PC can connect to the others in the LAN, except for PC three which only shows itself in the workgroup window (why I don't know) but none of the PC’s can access the web.

I have tried changing the Workgroup name and the PC’s names but the result is the same.
(I have reset the PC’s names to the original to match the number physical marked on the PC)

As things stand at the moment I can have three PC’s on the LAN (PC 3 seems to have a problem connecting on the LAN) or connected to the web but not both. I have not tried having one PC connected to the web and the other three on the LAN, as this is not what I wanted to achieve.

In all cases I have disabled the firewall on all of the PC’s

I am using a BILLION 7401VGP router/modem and I believe that this may have it’s own firewall. If this is the case has this any bearing on the problem

Does all this make any sense to you – it leaves me utterly confused – I feel I am going round in circles!

[johnwill]

The fact that you can't ping by name and multiple machines think they're the master browser seems to scream firewall to me.

Please post a HijackThis 2.00.2 Log here.

[gcha]

Hi

The log file is as follows:


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:03:50 PM, on 4/15/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16608)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCDsrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSIService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\slserv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\ULI5289\ALi5289.exe
C:\Program Files\USBToolbox\Res.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Lexmark P910 Series\lxbymon.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark P910 Series\ezprint.exe
C:\Program Files\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe
C:\Program Files\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lxbycoms.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker BHO - {F0D4B231-DA4B-4daf-81E4-DFEE4931A4AA} - C:\Program Files\ZoneAlarmSB\bar\1.bin\SPYBLOCK.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker - {F0D4B239-DA4B-4daf-81E4-DFEE4931A4AA} - C:\Program Files\ZoneAlarmSB\bar\1.bin\SPYBLOCK.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ALi5289] C:\Program Files\ULI5289\ALi5289.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [!AVG Anti-Spyware] "C:\Program Files\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe" /minimized
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [USB Storage Toolbox] C:\Program Files\USBToolbox\Res.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [REGSHAVE] C:\Program Files\REGSHAVE\REGSHAVE.EXE /AUTORUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LXBYCATS] rundll32 C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\LXBYtime.dll,_RunDLLEntry@16
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [lxbymon.exe] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark P910 Series\lxbymon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EzPrint] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark P910 Series\ezprint.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CaptureBat] C:\Program Files\Quick Screen Capture\Capture.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] "C:\Program Files\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PwrUpTweakMe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\PuXpTwks.exe /TWEAK
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZoneAlarm Client] "C:\Program Files\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NBJ] "C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero BackItUp\NBJ.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/wind...?1188103815843
O23 - Service: Acronis Scheduler2 Service (AcrSch2Svc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG Anti-Spyware Guard - GRISOFT s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InCD Helper (InCDsrv) - Ahead Software AG - C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCDsrv.exe
O23 - Service: InCD Helper (read only) (InCDsrvR) - Ahead Software AG - C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCDsrv.exe
O23 - Service: Iomega App Services - Iomega Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Iomega\System32\AppServices.exe
O23 - Service: lxby_device - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lxbycoms.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: ProtexisLicensing - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSIService.exe
O23 - Service: SiSoftware Database Agent Service (SandraDataSrv) - SiSoftware - C:\Program Files\Sandra Lite XIIc\Win32\RpcDataSrv.exe
O23 - Service: SiSoftware Sandra Agent Service (SandraTheSrv) - SiSoftware - C:\Program Files\Sandra Lite XIIc\RpcSandraSrv.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Auxiliary Service (sdAuxService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\svcntaux.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: PC Tools Security Service (sdCoreService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SmartLinkService (SLService) - Smart Link - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\slserv.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

--
End of file - 7262 bytes

[johnwill]

I see vsmon.exe running, which is a component of ZA Firewall. You need to TOTALLY uninstall all of ZA and see if that helps.

[gcha]

Hi

Do I need to do this on all four PC's?

[gcha]

Hi Johnwill

Ignore my last reply.

I have uninstalled ZA from all four computers and enabled the firewall on the router to medium.

PC's 1,4 & 5 can all see and access each other in the workgroup window and can also access the internet. PC 3 is a little odd in that it only shows it's own icon in the workgroup window but under a heading of 'internet' it shows,and can access, all the shared disks and folders on the other three PC's and can also access the internet. This is presumably because PC3 is the computer on which the router is set up. The later is not very convenient but at least it works.

So, it looks like we are there!!

Thank you for your help and your patience - I have learnt a lot from this excercise

[johnwill]

Glad you got it all going.

As far as the folders appearing under Internet, check this out.

Quote from: http://forums.techguy.org/networking...-internet.html

I recently had issues with my shared folders showing under the Internet heading instead of the Local Network in my network places also, and came across this thread. I know only a little about computers so i'm basically looking to all the tech guys to see if any of this supposed fix makes sense to them and is legit.

Apparently it may possibly have something to do with IE7. When I uninstalled IE7 the shared folders were once again under the correct heading of Local Network. Reinstalled and had the same issue as before I started. This was the fix I found, and although it appears to have worked for me, I want to run it by those of you who know what you are doing to see if this is safe to do and makes sense:

Start/Control Panel/Internet Options/Security/Local Intranet/Sites/Advanced

Type in the computer name of a system on your Local Network whose shared folder you are attempting to "move" in this format:
file://ComputerName
Click Add

Repeat for next computer name if there are others.
After all have been added, click Close, Ok, Ok

I did not check or uncheck anything, only added the computer names. (Edit--->to clarify, when I clicked on “Sites” everything was already checkmarked for “automatically detect intranet network” and then once I clicked on Advanced the checkbox there was NOT checked. I did not touch any of these.

[gcha]

Thanks - I will try it and let you know

[gcha]

Hi

I tried the fix in your last post with a rather unfortunate result! It certainly put the folders under the 'internet' heading back into the 'my network' folder with the correct PC icons - however - I am now back one step in that PC3 can see and access the other three PC's but none of the other PC's can see or access PC3 although they can all access the web - I think it's a true that one should not try to fix things that aren't broke. At least we had it working even if it wasn't the prettiest solution. I'm not quite sure where I go from here

[johnwill]

That's certainly odd. Can you ping that computer by name? What exactly happens when you try to access it?

Do this from another computer:

Start, Run, \\<computer_name>

...where <computer_name> is the name of the problem computer.

What do you get?

[gcha]

Hi

Pinging three from four by name works

Pinging four from three by name works

run //three from four accesses three with the shares shown in it's own window i.e PC(three) but the icon for three still does not show in the work group window in four

[johnwill]

OK, that is indeed a browsing issue.

Try this for each of the computers.

TCP/IP stak repair options for use with Windows XP with SP2.

Start, Run, CMD to open a command prompt:

In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following commands:

Note: Type only the text in bold for the following commands.

Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults, type: netsh int ip reset reset.log

Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults, type: netsh winsock reset catalog

Reboot the machine.





Then I'd like to see this for each of the two computers.

Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD to open a command prompt:

In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following commands, one at a time, followed by the Enter key:

NBTSTAT -n

IPCONFIG /ALL

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

If you are on a machine with no network connection, use a floppy, USB disk, or a CD-RW disk to transfer a text file with the information to allow pasting it here.