Can't see other computers on Peer-to-peer LAN

ngulube · 02-05-2005, 03:20 AM

Hi all,
I have about 6 pcs on my peer-to-peer network I have just "wired" on ethernet. The XP's machines are able to see each other on the LAN. But 3 Win98 and 1 ME machines cannot see anyother computer on the LAN apart from themselves. One Win98 can ping the XP, but the other Win98 and ME cannot even ping.

Whenever I try to locate/browse for other computers on the LAN i get the message like " Unable to browse network".
All the machines have same workgroup name but different machine names., And IP addresses are in the same "range". THe computers are linked by a 16-port D-Link switch.

Any help, please!

johnwill · 02-05-2005, 09:19 AM

Do you have a broadband router or other shared Internet connection?

All machines are must be in the same subnet, i.e. 192.168.0.x where x is any number. The subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0 for most small networks.

Turn off any firewalls for debugging. If the firewall is the problem, you'll have to configure it to allow access to "trusted zone" addresses. Note that some firewalls must be completely uninstalled to stop them from affecting your networking.

PING each computer by IP address, and if successful, PING by name. You can obtain the IP address of a computer by opening a command prompt (DOS window) and typing IPCONFIG. This should work for any Windows version.

All computers should be in the same workgroup for computer browsing to function properly. File & Print Sharing has to be enabled on any computer you wish to share files or printers from. You also need to actually share the resource in question from My Computer, right click on the drive/printer/folder, and select sharing.

If you encounter difficulties accessing computers that are visible in Network Neighborhood, make sure the computer being accessed has an account with the same name/password as the system connecting to it uses to login.

While the default NetBIOS setting is correct for normal network configurations, it's possible for it to be altered, and it costs nothing to make sure it's correct. NETBIOS over TCP/IP must be enabled for normal network browsing.

ngulube · 02-07-2005, 11:48 PM

Yes, one thing I have observed is that my NetBios setting tab (in the Control Panel Panel/Networks) is disabled. How do Enable it? so that I can "Enable NetBios Over TCP/IP". How do achieve this, for God's sake?

johnwill · 02-08-2005, 05:44 PM

Control Panel, Networks, Local Area Connection, Properties.

Select TCP/IP, Properties, Advanced, WINS, and enable NETBIOS over TCP/IP. Without this, network browsing won't work.

02-05-2005, 03:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
ngulube Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Can't see other computers on Peer-to-peer LAN Hi all, I have about 6 pcs on my peer-to-peer network I have just "wired" on ethernet. The XP's machines are able to see each other on the LAN. But 3 Win98 and 1 ME machines cannot see anyother computer on the LAN apart from themselves. One Win98 can ping the XP, but the other Win98 and ME cannot even ping. Whenever I try to locate/browse for other computers on the LAN i get the message like " Unable to browse network". All the machines have same workgroup name but different machine names., And IP addresses are in the same "range". THe computers are linked by a 16-port D-Link switch. Any help, please!

02-05-2005, 09:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,329 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Do you have a broadband router or other shared Internet connection? All machines are must be in the same subnet, i.e. 192.168.0.x where x is any number. The subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0 for most small networks. Turn off any firewalls for debugging. If the firewall is the problem, you'll have to configure it to allow access to "trusted zone" addresses. Note that some firewalls must be completely uninstalled to stop them from affecting your networking. PING each computer by IP address, and if successful, PING by name. You can obtain the IP address of a computer by opening a command prompt (DOS window) and typing IPCONFIG. This should work for any Windows version. All computers should be in the same workgroup for computer browsing to function properly. File & Print Sharing has to be enabled on any computer you wish to share files or printers from. You also need to actually share the resource in question from My Computer, right click on the drive/printer/folder, and select sharing. If you encounter difficulties accessing computers that are visible in Network Neighborhood, make sure the computer being accessed has an account with the same name/password as the system connecting to it uses to login. While the default NetBIOS setting is correct for normal network configurations, it's possible for it to be altered, and it costs nothing to make sure it's correct. NETBIOS over TCP/IP must be enabled for normal network browsing. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-07-2005, 11:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
ngulube Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Can't activate/set Netbios settings Yes, one thing I have observed is that my NetBios setting tab (in the Control Panel Panel/Networks) is disabled. How do Enable it? so that I can "Enable NetBios Over TCP/IP". How do achieve this, for God's sake?

02-08-2005, 05:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,329 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Control Panel, Networks, Local Area Connection, Properties. Select TCP/IP, Properties, Advanced, WINS, and enable NETBIOS over TCP/IP. Without this, network browsing won't work. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience