Do I need WMI or MMC or COM+ ?

Problem: I cannot get the Toshiba Satellite 1900 laptop
(discarded by a friend, running WinXP SP2) to connect to
the existing home network. Current settings do not enable
Sharing any drive or folder.

The laptop is wired directly to the router and connects OK
to the Internet via wireless modem. The network is a Win98SE
PC wired to the router and connected wirelessly to a WinXP
PC upstairs. I suspect the trouble to be earlier configuration when
(years ago) the laptop may have been connected to a highly secure
server network. Symptoms now are:

1 The practical point is that I cannot SHARE any drive or folder.
If I attempt this via My Computer / Folder / Sharing reports
"The Server service is not started." There is no server in my home
network.

1b. /My Network Places / Ethernet / Support / Repair gets
"could not finish repairing . . . cannot complete
Clearing the DNS cache. Contact network manager."

1c. If I try via /Control Panel / Network /Advanced I get
" WMI corrupted (Windows Management Interface)."
This indeed seems the case. I can call WMI via MMC but
contents are blank.

1d. Wireless Network Setup Wizard generates correct settings
(WORKGROUPX, WEP/WPA key etc.) Network Setup Wizard proceeds
to its end (naming network WORKGROUPX, linked to Internet via Gateway
etc), file & printer sharing set ON) but will not complete, reporting "no
network
present"

2. WMI appears linked to MMC = Microsoft Management Console
containing / COM+ Applications [Component Object Model]
"Error 8004E00F unable to talk to MS Distrib Transaction Coordinator"
Transaction List & Transaction Statistics are both blank

(3 Another anomaly: there were first two Network Connections modules
in Control Panel, both identical. I installed TweakUI and deselected
this CPL file -- which leaves one Net Connect icon, behaving the same:
/ Ethernet card / Advanced reports
"Windows cannot display the properties . . . WMI info
might be corrupted. Use System Restore . . ."
But there is no Restore Point on this laptop. . . .)

I found and explored the COM+ Services menu via /Admin Tools / Services
and turned off Cryptographic Services
DCOM Server Process Server
DHCP (network) service)
Network Connections
Network Location Awareness
Protected Storage
Wireless Zero Config (autoconfig for wireless networks)
and turned on WMI Performance Adapter -- no luck, i.e. this does
not furnish WMI information as mentioned above.

The previous owner of this laptop was a computer security
contractor, i.e. may well have been networked years ago
with a server, and the COM+ Services may have been related
tools. (At reboot the XP screen shows "Closing network connections"
although the laptop is now on no network.)

I have the two "Product Recovery" system disks (each one file
in PQI format) -- but do not know how to reinstal the WMI
module (or otherwise turn Server config. off). The PQI routine
might format the hard drive before reinstalling all, and I do not want
to take this risk.

A. Assuming this laptop was earlier configured to connect
to a (secure) Server-based network, how can I reconfigure
to connect to (and Share folders with) a home network?

B. WMI and MMC and COM+ are all new to my eye, and I
guess these are security-related software added by the previous
owner. If so, what is the simplest way of removing all?

C. If I really need WMI but cannot use System Restore,
what other way enables assembling the information needed?

(D. What is the best MS NG for this type of query?)
--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

"Don Phillipson" wrote:

> Problem: I cannot get the Toshiba Satellite 1900 laptop
> (discarded by a friend, running WinXP SP2) to connect to
> the existing home network. Current settings do not enable
> Sharing any drive or folder.
>
> The laptop is wired directly to the router and connects OK
> to the Internet via wireless modem. The network is a Win98SE
> PC wired to the router and connected wirelessly to a WinXP
> PC upstairs. I suspect the trouble to be earlier configuration when
> (years ago) the laptop may have been connected to a highly secure
> server network. Symptoms now are:
>
> 1 The practical point is that I cannot SHARE any drive or folder.
> If I attempt this via My Computer / Folder / Sharing reports
> "The Server service is not started." There is no server in my home
> network.
>
> 1b. /My Network Places / Ethernet / Support / Repair gets
> "could not finish repairing . . . cannot complete
> Clearing the DNS cache. Contact network manager."
>
> 1c. If I try via /Control Panel / Network /Advanced I get
> " WMI corrupted (Windows Management Interface)."
> This indeed seems the case. I can call WMI via MMC but
> contents are blank.
>
> 1d. Wireless Network Setup Wizard generates correct settings
> (WORKGROUPX, WEP/WPA key etc.) Network Setup Wizard proceeds
> to its end (naming network WORKGROUPX, linked to Internet via Gateway
> etc), file & printer sharing set ON) but will not complete, reporting "no
> network
> present"
>
> 2. WMI appears linked to MMC = Microsoft Management Console
> containing / COM+ Applications [Component Object Model]
> "Error 8004E00F unable to talk to MS Distrib Transaction Coordinator"
> Transaction List & Transaction Statistics are both blank
>
> (3 Another anomaly: there were first two Network Connections modules
> in Control Panel, both identical. I installed TweakUI and deselected
> this CPL file -- which leaves one Net Connect icon, behaving the same:
> / Ethernet card / Advanced reports
> "Windows cannot display the properties . . . WMI info
> might be corrupted. Use System Restore . . ."
> But there is no Restore Point on this laptop. . . .)
>
> I found and explored the COM+ Services menu via /Admin Tools / Services
> and turned off Cryptographic Services
> DCOM Server Process Server
> DHCP (network) service)
> Network Connections
> Network Location Awareness
> Protected Storage
> Wireless Zero Config (autoconfig for wireless networks)
> and turned on WMI Performance Adapter -- no luck, i.e. this does
> not furnish WMI information as mentioned above.
>
> The previous owner of this laptop was a computer security
> contractor, i.e. may well have been networked years ago
> with a server, and the COM+ Services may have been related
> tools. (At reboot the XP screen shows "Closing network connections"
> although the laptop is now on no network.)
>
> I have the two "Product Recovery" system disks (each one file
> in PQI format) -- but do not know how to reinstal the WMI
> module (or otherwise turn Server config. off). The PQI routine
> might format the hard drive before reinstalling all, and I do not want
> to take this risk.
>
> A. Assuming this laptop was earlier configured to connect
> to a (secure) Server-based network, how can I reconfigure
> to connect to (and Share folders with) a home network?
>
> B. WMI and MMC and COM+ are all new to my eye, and I
> guess these are security-related software added by the previous
> owner. If so, what is the simplest way of removing all?
>
> C. If I really need WMI but cannot use System Restore,
> what other way enables assembling the information needed?
>
> (D. What is the best MS NG for this type of query?)
> --
> Don Phillipson
> Carlsbad Springs
> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
>

I may be able to help you with A.

If you have no server on your network, it is a workgroup, not a domain.
On the laptop, right-click My Computer, select Properties... Computer Name..
If this shows the computer is not part of your workgroup, select Change and
join the workgroup.

In order to share files on a computer, it must have the Server Service
running.
Start.. All Programs.. Administrative Tools... Services..
Select the service named Server and configure the startup to be Automatic.
Select the service named Comoputer Browser and configure the startup to be
Automatic.

Reboot and see if you can share files now.

--
Regards,
Newell White

"Newell White" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:074280C1-B5C5-4D23-802D-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
>
> > Problem: I cannot get the Toshiba Satellite 1900 laptop
> > (discarded by a friend, running WinXP SP2) to connect to
> > the existing home network. Current settings do not enable
> > Sharing any drive or folder. . . .

> If you have no server on your network, it is a workgroup, not a domain.
> On the laptop, right-click My Computer, select Properties... Computer
Name..
> If this shows the computer is not part of your workgroup, select Change
and
> join the workgroup.
>
> In order to share files on a computer, it must have the Server Service
> running.
> Start.. All Programs.. Administrative Tools... Services..
> Select the service named Server and configure the startup to be Automatic.
> Select the service named Comoputer Browser and configure the startup to be
> Automatic.
>
> Reboot and see if you can share files now.

Thanks for this good point, implemented.
I now have a couple of folders Shared OK
but still no network . . . Windows Update
did not help as I had hoped. It appears WMI
(corrupted) or MMC or COM+ prevents this.
--Or it might be that the home network is wireless
whereas the laptop has no laptop circuitry and its
Ethernet jack is wired directly to the router
(and Network Connections now shows Internet
Gateway (i.e. router) as well as the NIC.
But I shall keep this /Services/ Server
point in mind with thanks.
DP

"Don Phillipson" wrote:

> Thanks for this good point, implemented.
> I now have a couple of folders Shared OK
> but still no network . . . Windows Update
> did not help as I had hoped. It appears WMI
> (corrupted) or MMC or COM+ prevents this.
> --Or it might be that the home network is wireless
> whereas the laptop has no laptop circuitry and its
> Ethernet jack is wired directly to the router
> (and Network Connections now shows Internet
> Gateway (i.e. router) as well as the NIC.
> But I shall keep this /Services/ Server
> point in mind with thanks.
> DP
>
>
Suspect your problem may be related to network IP structure and/or NetBios.

What are the IPs of everything on your network? Are they all in the same
subnet e.g. 192.168.1.x?
If not, does your router have a DHCP server within that your XP laptop can
subscribe to (configure XP to get network address automatically)?

Does the XP have NetBios over TCP/IP enabled? Read this for background and
how to:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb727013.aspx

--
Regards,
Newell White

"Newell White" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:9238C6A7-F284-4D1F-8F8B-(E-Mail Removed)...

> Suspect your problem may be related to network IP structure and/or
NetBios.
>
> What are the IPs of everything on your network? Are they all in the same
> subnet e.g. 192.168.1.x?
> If not, does your router have a DHCP server within that your XP laptop can
> subscribe to (configure XP to get network address automatically)?
>
> Does the XP have NetBios over TCP/IP enabled?

NetBIOS enabled (by accident) when I added protocol for
Service Advertizing Protocol (whatever that is on this 2d-hand laptop)
which added NWLink NetBIOS
and NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol
but made no successful connection to existing home network which is:

IP = 192.168.1.1 = Wireless router = Internet Gateway (to wireless modem)
(This router has DHCP set on)
IP = 192.168.1.101 = downstairs Win98SE PC, cabled to router
IP = 192.168.1.100 = upstairs WinXP PC with wireless card
IP = 192.168.1.102 = laptop, cabled directly to router (connecting OK to
Internet)
(All IPs verified by IPCONFIG.)

WinXP menus show three Network Connections
1 1394 (firewire) disabled; nothing to connect to it.
2 Ethernet NIC
3 Internet Gateway
With any permutation (2 alone, 3 alone, or 2 and 3 both enabled)
the Network Wizard finds no network, i.e. has nothing to connect to.
I get muddled after only 10 minutes fiddling, but see no way to
proceed except by brute force (e.g. turning off DHCP and manually
setting new IPs say 110, 120, 130, 140 for the different devices) but
I see no way to attempt this.

The upstairs and downstairs desktops are successfully networked,
i.e. each sees the other via wireless, can swap files etc., and both
reach the Internet successfully through the router (as does the laptop
cabled to the router.) But the laptop does not see the other PCs
and neither of them sees the laptop.

Oh well. I suppose I could have a try at uninstalling WMI and MMC
and COM+ functions, since I have never myself needed these
(configured by the laptop's previous owner.)
--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

"Don Phillipson" wrote:

> "Newell White" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:9238C6A7-F284-4D1F-8F8B-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> > Suspect your problem may be related to network IP structure and/or
> NetBios.
> >
> > What are the IPs of everything on your network? Are they all in the same
> > subnet e.g. 192.168.1.x?
> > If not, does your router have a DHCP server within that your XP laptop can
> > subscribe to (configure XP to get network address automatically)?
> >
> > Does the XP have NetBios over TCP/IP enabled?
>
> NetBIOS enabled (by accident) when I added protocol for
> Service Advertizing Protocol (whatever that is on this 2d-hand laptop)
> which added NWLink NetBIOS
> and NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol
> but made no successful connection to existing home network which is:
>
> IP = 192.168.1.1 = Wireless router = Internet Gateway (to wireless modem)
> (This router has DHCP set on)
> IP = 192.168.1.101 = downstairs Win98SE PC, cabled to router
> IP = 192.168.1.100 = upstairs WinXP PC with wireless card
> IP = 192.168.1.102 = laptop, cabled directly to router (connecting OK to
> Internet)
> (All IPs verified by IPCONFIG.)
>
> WinXP menus show three Network Connections
> 1 1394 (firewire) disabled; nothing to connect to it.
> 2 Ethernet NIC
> 3 Internet Gateway
> With any permutation (2 alone, 3 alone, or 2 and 3 both enabled)
> the Network Wizard finds no network, i.e. has nothing to connect to.
> I get muddled after only 10 minutes fiddling, but see no way to
> proceed except by brute force (e.g. turning off DHCP and manually
> setting new IPs say 110, 120, 130, 140 for the different devices) but
> I see no way to attempt this.
>
> The upstairs and downstairs desktops are successfully networked,
> i.e. each sees the other via wireless, can swap files etc., and both
> reach the Internet successfully through the router (as does the laptop
> cabled to the router.) But the laptop does not see the other PCs
> and neither of them sees the laptop.
>
> Oh well. I suppose I could have a try at uninstalling WMI and MMC
> and COM+ functions, since I have never myself needed these
> (configured by the laptop's previous owner.)
> --
> Don Phillipson
> Carlsbad Springs
> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
Network blessedly straightforward.

Clutching at straws now.
Windows Firewall settings on the laptop?
Local Security policy on the laptop?

I cannot see what WMI or MMC have to do with file sharing over network.
I know nothing of COM+.

--
Regards,
Newell White