Problem with workgroup.

The boss brought his laptop in today and couldn't connect to one of the
servers or the workroup computers. He could connect to the DHCP\File Server,
even though he wasn't a member of "Workgroup", he had tried to set up a home
network and changed the workgroup name to Home.
Our network consists of twenty or so PC's, two file servers one of which is
a DHCP server, majority hard wired with a few WAPs to serve the laptops.
No domain, just a workgroup.
IP addresses in the range 10.174.27.xxx. with a subnet of 255.255.255.0
As I said it worked OK untill he tried to set up a home network.
He could connect to the DHCP\File server even though he had changed the
workgroup name, but not the rest of the network.
Trying to set up a URL shortcut results in File not found.
Problem remains even when the workgroup name was changed back to match the
rest of the network.
Workgroup is "seen" when browsing for the server but nothing shows in it,
not even the DHCP server.
I can ping the missing server.
Any suggestions as to what to try most welcome.
TWK

In news:fqs2uo$4su$1$(E-Mail Removed),
Toobi-Won Kenobi <Toobi-won (E-Mail Removed)> typed:
> The boss brought his laptop in today and couldn't connect to one of
> the servers or the workroup computers. He could connect to the
> DHCP\File Server, even though he wasn't a member of "Workgroup", he
> had tried to set up a home network and changed the workgroup name to
> Home. Our network consists of twenty or so PC's, two file servers one of
> which is a DHCP server, majority hard wired with a few WAPs to serve
> the laptops. No domain, just a workgroup.
> IP addresses in the range 10.174.27.xxx. with a subnet of
> 255.255.255.0 As I said it worked OK untill he tried to set up a home
> network.
> He could connect to the DHCP\File server even though he had changed
> the workgroup name, but not the rest of the network.
> Trying to set up a URL shortcut results in File not found.
> Problem remains even when the workgroup name was changed back to
> match the rest of the network.
> Workgroup is "seen" when browsing for the server but nothing shows in
> it, not even the DHCP server.
> I can ping the missing server.
> Any suggestions as to what to try most welcome.
> TWK

The trick with workgroups is everyone needs a common or identical username &
pwd logged onto the laptop that also exists on the server or machine you are
trying to reach. Also you want to disable the XP firewall (probably the
issue) as well as any 3rd party firewalls or security software. You also
want to make sure the machines are set to legacy file sharing.(ion XP if I
remember correctly, I believe under Explorer, Tool, Folder Options, View
tab, very bottom setting).

Don't use the wizard to set up a "home" network. It changes everything so it
won't work in a workgroup, or at least makes it difficult to make it work.

--
Regards,
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,
MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
Microsoft Certified Trainer

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations

"Ace Fekay [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> In news:fqs2uo$4su$1$(E-Mail Removed),
> Toobi-Won Kenobi <Toobi-won (E-Mail Removed)> typed:
>> The boss brought his laptop in today and couldn't connect to one of
>> the servers or the workroup computers. He could connect to the
>> DHCP\File Server, even though he wasn't a member of "Workgroup", he
>> had tried to set up a home network and changed the workgroup name to
>> Home. Our network consists of twenty or so PC's, two file servers one of
>> which is a DHCP server, majority hard wired with a few WAPs to serve
>> the laptops. No domain, just a workgroup.
>> IP addresses in the range 10.174.27.xxx. with a subnet of
>> 255.255.255.0 As I said it worked OK untill he tried to set up a home
>> network.
>> He could connect to the DHCP\File server even though he had changed
>> the workgroup name, but not the rest of the network.
>> Trying to set up a URL shortcut results in File not found.
>> Problem remains even when the workgroup name was changed back to
>> match the rest of the network.
>> Workgroup is "seen" when browsing for the server but nothing shows in
>> it, not even the DHCP server.
>> I can ping the missing server.
>> Any suggestions as to what to try most welcome.
>> TWK
>
> The trick with workgroups is everyone needs a common or identical username
> & pwd logged onto the laptop that also exists on the server or machine you
> are trying to reach. Also you want to disable the XP firewall (probably
> the issue) as well as any 3rd party firewalls or security software. You
> also want to make sure the machines are set to legacy file sharing.(ion XP
> if I remember correctly, I believe under Explorer, Tool, Folder Options,
> View tab, very bottom setting).
>
> Don't use the wizard to set up a "home" network. It changes everything so
> it won't work in a workgroup, or at least makes it difficult to make it
> work.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Ace
Hi Ace,

That's what he did, used the wizard, can't understand why he could log into
the DHCP\File server and not the rest of the workgroup after I'd restored
the correct workgroup name though.
He logs onto the two servers (or used too)for file sharing purposes, via a
URL shortcut for each server on his desktop.
One worked the other couldn't be found.
Usernames and passwords exist on both servers and laptop.
Will check the legacy issue on Monday.
If it is a firewall issue, why doesn't it affect the server he can connect
to?
Many thanks

TWK

In news:fquffv$irh$1$(E-Mail Removed),
Toobi-Won Kenobi <Toobi-won (E-Mail Removed)> typed:
> Hi Ace,
>
> That's what he did, used the wizard, can't understand why he could
> log into the DHCP\File server and not the rest of the workgroup after
> I'd restored the correct workgroup name though.
> He logs onto the two servers (or used too)for file sharing purposes,
> via a URL shortcut for each server on his desktop.
> One worked the other couldn't be found.
> Usernames and passwords exist on both servers and laptop.
> Will check the legacy issue on Monday.
> If it is a firewall issue, why doesn't it affect the server he can
> connect to?
> Many thanks
>
> TWK

There are too many variable with workgroup connectivity that I can guess and
say what the actual cause is. Maybe the credentials he's currently logged on
with is the same as on the DHCP server? Not sure. Maybe all of the others
have their firewalls set but blocking him?

A URL shortcut is to a web page. Do you mean a UNC mapped link?

Ace

"Ace Fekay [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> In news:fquffv$irh$1$(E-Mail Removed),
> Toobi-Won Kenobi <Toobi-won (E-Mail Removed)> typed:
>> Hi Ace,
>>
>> That's what he did, used the wizard, can't understand why he could
>> log into the DHCP\File server and not the rest of the workgroup after
>> I'd restored the correct workgroup name though.
>> He logs onto the two servers (or used too)for file sharing purposes,
>> via a URL shortcut for each server on his desktop.
>> One worked the other couldn't be found.
>> Usernames and passwords exist on both servers and laptop.
>> Will check the legacy issue on Monday.
>> If it is a firewall issue, why doesn't it affect the server he can
>> connect to?
>> Many thanks
>>
>> TWK
>
> There are too many variable with workgroup connectivity that I can guess
> and say what the actual cause is. Maybe the credentials he's currently
> logged on with is the same as on the DHCP server? Not sure. Maybe all of
> the others have their firewalls set but blocking him?
>
> A URL shortcut is to a web page. Do you mean a UNC mapped link?
Yes (blush)
You can see how good our company is can't you.
I'm going to have a good look at the PC tomorrow, he told thet he has
noticed the problem ever since he
changed his ISP to another provider(the laptop is his own, which he uses (or
used to) use for file sharing)
I would have thought that any changes theis would have wold be in is router
though.
I'll check to see if they sold him any AV software at the same time.

again, many thanks.

TWK

In news:fr0et2$hda$1$(E-Mail Removed),
Toobi-Won Kenobi <Toobi-won (E-Mail Removed)> typed:

> You can see how good our company is can't you.
> I'm going to have a good look at the PC tomorrow, he told thet he has
> noticed the problem ever since he
> changed his ISP to another provider(the laptop is his own, which he
> uses (or used to) use for file sharing)
> I would have thought that any changes theis would have wold be in is
> router though.
> I'll check to see if they sold him any AV software at the same time.
>
> again, many thanks.
>
> TWK

I wish you alot of luck! He or the app he installed had to change something.
Let me know how you make out.

Ace

"Ace Fekay [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:emi%23B$(E-Mail Removed)...
> In news:fr0et2$hda$1$(E-Mail Removed),
> Toobi-Won Kenobi <Toobi-won (E-Mail Removed)> typed:
>
>> You can see how good our company is can't you.
>> I'm going to have a good look at the PC tomorrow, he told thet he has
>> noticed the problem ever since he
>> changed his ISP to another provider(the laptop is his own, which he
>> uses (or used to) use for file sharing)
>> I would have thought that any changes theis would have wold be in is
>> router though.
>> I'll check to see if they sold him any AV software at the same time.
>>
>> again, many thanks.
>>
>> TWK
>
> I wish you alot of luck! He or the app he installed had to change
> something. Let me know how you make out.
>
Ace
I know what I'd like to do with him!
Many thanks for all your help.

Regards

TWK

In news:fr5tod$rqg$1$(E-Mail Removed),
Toobi-Won Kenobi <Toobi-won (E-Mail Removed)> typed:
> Ace
> I know what I'd like to do with him!
> Many thanks for all your help.
>
> Regards
>
> TWK

My pleasure!