Can't ping one way

[elieb]

Ok, I've got a similar problem except im trying to share files between a wireless labtop and a desktop, both running XP and both connected to the internet through a router.

File and printer sharing is on on both
both have folders and directories being shared
Can't find any firewalls in the way

the labtop can ping the desktop
but the desktop can't ping the labtop.
NetBios over tcp/ip on both

When i check ipconfig /all, the labtop's node type is hybrid but the desktop says node type is unknown... the desktop didnt have the dword value for it in the registry so i created it but it still says unknown...

From the desktop, i can see both computers when i open "view workgroup computers" but can't access the labtop files (cannot find network path)
but from the labtop i can't even access anything when i click on view workgroup computers.

Please help heheh

[Bill_Castner]

First, both "Hybrid" and "Unknown" are fine as Node Types. The really bad guy is "Peer-go-Peer" as there will be no Netbios broadcasts.

the labtop can ping the desktop
but the desktop can't ping the labtop.

This is a firewall issue. Note that for many firewalls such as Norton, Zone Alarm, Sygate Personal, .etc using the Notification Tray Icon to "disable" the firewall is not enough.

Watch out for "hidden" firewalls. Antivirus programs sometimes have hidden firewall components; PC-Illan is notorious for this. VPN client software often has a firewall component; CISCO VPN client is notorious for this.

But there is a firewall in the mix here somewhere. Try pinging by both Computer Name as well as IP address.

Final issue is Network Path is not found.

This too can be a firewall result. Other checkpoints:

1) Make sure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled on on the shared computer.

2) Make sure that each shared machine has something shared.

3) Make sure that you have synchronized the logon username and passwords on both machines. All users and passwords on Computer A made new users with matching usernames and passwords on Computer B. All users and passwords on Computer B made new users with matching usernames and passwords on Computer A.

4) Make sure that you have enabled NetBIOS over TCP/IP if this is a mixed OS network.
See: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318030

.

[elieb]

ok so how do i find and get rid of a "hidden" firewall. I'm using norton.

And why would the user names and passwords have to match on both? I've shared files through a network before and that's never been an issue...

[johnwill]

Even though it appears you're having the same problem, please start a new thread when you have a new issue. It's very difficult to keep two problems straight and who's working on what in a single thread. I've created a new thread for your issue here. Thanks for your cooperation.

[u5h1e]

Hello there,

I just wanted to say "thank you" to Bill_Castner. I had a similar problem - could ping from my desktop to laptop but not the other way round. Then I saw his comment about the CISCO VPN client which I have installed on my desktop. I unchecked the "Always on" setting of the client's "Stateful firewall" and hey presto! - all was well. It seems that even though the VPN client connection was always "disconnected" when I was pinging, the firewall was still blocking traffic. Now all my file sharing works fine!

ps: both machines are running Windows XP & I have the Windows Firewall "ON" on both machines - this is easily configured to allow file & printer sharing (don't believe everything you read!)

pps: I didn't have to synchronize or match usernames/passwords across machines - it worked fine with both machines in the same workgroup

Thanks again Bill.