Computers in a workgroup not showing up

I have a wireless network set up as follows: 2 desktops (one downstairs and
one upstairs) and a laptop running XP, mn700 base and mn710 usb adapter on
the desktops and a wireless adapter that came with the laptop. I also use
the broadband utility software that came with. I set everything up and the
internet connection works on all machines. The wireless network shows up on
all machines. The problem is when I try to connect to the other computers to
read files. I am running a virus/spam/firewall application provided by my
ISP (I believe it is F-secure).

In the utility program I wait for the refreshing of network devices to
refresh. I then get a message that "no devices were found on the network".
When I first set things up, the basement computer showed up in the list.
Now, nothing. I also viewed my network through my computer and looked into
the "check computers in the workgroup" option and there are no computers
listed except for the one I am on at the time.

I would appreciate any advice that you may have. I have this sneaking
suspicion that I might be better off disabling everything, removing whatever
software there is and starting over. A second question I have, therefore, is
how do i do that?

Thanks


edee em

Sounds a bit like your anti virus software may be blocking (and hiding) the
computers from each other. You might want to check the documentation with
the program to make sure it is allowing LAN traffic among the computers.
Beside that, check to make sure all the systems are part of the same
Workgroup. If they aren't, they're not going to be able to talk with each
other. Oh, and the obvious thing we sometimes forget, is to make sure
you're actually sharing files and folders you want other computers to
access. 8-)
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

"edee em" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:09786E82-FBCE-42FE-A487-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have a wireless network set up as follows: 2 desktops (one downstairs
>and
> one upstairs) and a laptop running XP, mn700 base and mn710 usb adapter on
> the desktops and a wireless adapter that came with the laptop. I also use
> the broadband utility software that came with. I set everything up and
> the
> internet connection works on all machines. The wireless network shows up
> on
> all machines. The problem is when I try to connect to the other computers
> to
> read files. I am running a virus/spam/firewall application provided by my
> ISP (I believe it is F-secure).
>
> In the utility program I wait for the refreshing of network devices to
> refresh. I then get a message that "no devices were found on the
> network".
> When I first set things up, the basement computer showed up in the list.
> Now, nothing. I also viewed my network through my computer and looked
> into
> the "check computers in the workgroup" option and there are no computers
> listed except for the one I am on at the time.
>
> I would appreciate any advice that you may have. I have this sneaking
> suspicion that I might be better off disabling everything, removing
> whatever
> software there is and starting over. A second question I have, therefore,
> is
> how do i do that?
>
> Thanks

I emailed support for my virus software and will wait for them to tell me
it's not that. I did make sure I'm using the same workgroup name, so that's
taken care of. The file sharing thing you mentioned: would that prevent the
workgroup computers from showing up?

Thanks

"Chris H" wrote:

> Sounds a bit like your anti virus software may be blocking (and hiding) the
> computers from each other. You might want to check the documentation with
> the program to make sure it is allowing LAN traffic among the computers.
> Beside that, check to make sure all the systems are part of the same
> Workgroup. If they aren't, they're not going to be able to talk with each
> other. Oh, and the obvious thing we sometimes forget, is to make sure
> you're actually sharing files and folders you want other computers to
> access. 8-)
> --
> Chris H.
> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
> Associate Expert
> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>
> "edee em" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:09786E82-FBCE-42FE-A487-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >I have a wireless network set up as follows: 2 desktops (one downstairs
> >and
> > one upstairs) and a laptop running XP, mn700 base and mn710 usb adapter on
> > the desktops and a wireless adapter that came with the laptop. I also use
> > the broadband utility software that came with. I set everything up and
> > the
> > internet connection works on all machines. The wireless network shows up
> > on
> > all machines. The problem is when I try to connect to the other computers
> > to
> > read files. I am running a virus/spam/firewall application provided by my
> > ISP (I believe it is F-secure).
> >
> > In the utility program I wait for the refreshing of network devices to
> > refresh. I then get a message that "no devices were found on the
> > network".
> > When I first set things up, the basement computer showed up in the list.
> > Now, nothing. I also viewed my network through my computer and looked
> > into
> > the "check computers in the workgroup" option and there are no computers
> > listed except for the one I am on at the time.
> >
> > I would appreciate any advice that you may have. I have this sneaking
> > suspicion that I might be better off disabling everything, removing
> > whatever
> > software there is and starting over. A second question I have, therefore,
> > is
> > how do i do that?
> >
> > Thanks
>

If it is not your Workgroup, then I strongly suspect it is the anti virus.
Perhaps you can find in the Help file within the program how to set the
"allowed" access of your LAN computers. Or check their web site for a
possible help forum.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

"edee em" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:304A4B06-B3CE-4F73-AEF8-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I emailed support for my virus software and will wait for them to tell me
> it's not that. I did make sure I'm using the same workgroup name, so
> that's
> taken care of. The file sharing thing you mentioned: would that prevent
> the
> workgroup computers from showing up?
>
> Thanks
>
> "Chris H" wrote:
>
>> Sounds a bit like your anti virus software may be blocking (and hiding)
>> the
>> computers from each other. You might want to check the documentation
>> with
>> the program to make sure it is allowing LAN traffic among the computers.
>> Beside that, check to make sure all the systems are part of the same
>> Workgroup. If they aren't, they're not going to be able to talk with
>> each
>> other. Oh, and the obvious thing we sometimes forget, is to make sure
>> you're actually sharing files and folders you want other computers to
>> access. 8-)
>> --
>> Chris H.
>> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
>> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
>> http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
>> Associate Expert
>> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>
>> "edee em" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:09786E82-FBCE-42FE-A487-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >I have a wireless network set up as follows: 2 desktops (one downstairs
>> >and
>> > one upstairs) and a laptop running XP, mn700 base and mn710 usb adapter
>> > on
>> > the desktops and a wireless adapter that came with the laptop. I also
>> > use
>> > the broadband utility software that came with. I set everything up and
>> > the
>> > internet connection works on all machines. The wireless network shows
>> > up
>> > on
>> > all machines. The problem is when I try to connect to the other
>> > computers
>> > to
>> > read files. I am running a virus/spam/firewall application provided by
>> > my
>> > ISP (I believe it is F-secure).
>> >
>> > In the utility program I wait for the refreshing of network devices to
>> > refresh. I then get a message that "no devices were found on the
>> > network".
>> > When I first set things up, the basement computer showed up in the
>> > list.
>> > Now, nothing. I also viewed my network through my computer and looked
>> > into
>> > the "check computers in the workgroup" option and there are no
>> > computers
>> > listed except for the one I am on at the time.
>> >
>> > I would appreciate any advice that you may have. I have this sneaking
>> > suspicion that I might be better off disabling everything, removing
>> > whatever
>> > software there is and starting over. A second question I have,
>> > therefore,
>> > is
>> > how do i do that?
>> >
>> > Thanks
>>

Thanks for the info Chris. I think I want to uninstall/reinstall and reset
things. What's the best way to do that? I know how to remove the software
but what is the best way to detach the hardware and those connections made?

Thanks



"Chris H" wrote:

> If it is not your Workgroup, then I strongly suspect it is the anti virus.
> Perhaps you can find in the Help file within the program how to set the
> "allowed" access of your LAN computers. Or check their web site for a
> possible help forum.
> --
> Chris H.
> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
> Associate Expert
> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>
> "edee em" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:304A4B06-B3CE-4F73-AEF8-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >I emailed support for my virus software and will wait for them to tell me
> > it's not that. I did make sure I'm using the same workgroup name, so
> > that's
> > taken care of. The file sharing thing you mentioned: would that prevent
> > the
> > workgroup computers from showing up?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > "Chris H" wrote:
> >
> >> Sounds a bit like your anti virus software may be blocking (and hiding)
> >> the
> >> computers from each other. You might want to check the documentation
> >> with
> >> the program to make sure it is allowing LAN traffic among the computers.
> >> Beside that, check to make sure all the systems are part of the same
> >> Workgroup. If they aren't, they're not going to be able to talk with
> >> each
> >> other. Oh, and the obvious thing we sometimes forget, is to make sure
> >> you're actually sharing files and folders you want other computers to
> >> access. 8-)
> >> --
> >> Chris H.
> >> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> >> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> >> http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
> >> Associate Expert
> >> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >>
> >> "edee em" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:09786E82-FBCE-42FE-A487-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> >I have a wireless network set up as follows: 2 desktops (one downstairs
> >> >and
> >> > one upstairs) and a laptop running XP, mn700 base and mn710 usb adapter
> >> > on
> >> > the desktops and a wireless adapter that came with the laptop. I also
> >> > use
> >> > the broadband utility software that came with. I set everything up and
> >> > the
> >> > internet connection works on all machines. The wireless network shows
> >> > up
> >> > on
> >> > all machines. The problem is when I try to connect to the other
> >> > computers
> >> > to
> >> > read files. I am running a virus/spam/firewall application provided by
> >> > my
> >> > ISP (I believe it is F-secure).
> >> >
> >> > In the utility program I wait for the refreshing of network devices to
> >> > refresh. I then get a message that "no devices were found on the
> >> > network".
> >> > When I first set things up, the basement computer showed up in the
> >> > list.
> >> > Now, nothing. I also viewed my network through my computer and looked
> >> > into
> >> > the "check computers in the workgroup" option and there are no
> >> > computers
> >> > listed except for the one I am on at the time.
> >> >
> >> > I would appreciate any advice that you may have. I have this sneaking
> >> > suspicion that I might be better off disabling everything, removing
> >> > whatever
> >> > software there is and starting over. A second question I have,
> >> > therefore,
> >> > is
> >> > how do i do that?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks
> >>
>

If you're talking about reinstalling the router's firmware, you probably are
already running the final available software. Microsoft stopped producing
the product a couple years ago and has not issued new firmware for probably
two years. You can administer the router by going to a computer which is
connected (wired) to it and using the 192.168.2.1 IP address of the router
in your browser address line.

If you want to reset the router back to factory specs, there is a small
pinhole on the back side near the antenna. Insert the point of a ball point
pen or unfolded paperclip in the hole and keep pressing it in until your get
flashing orange lights. That normally takes about five seconds.

As far as removing the connection on a computer, go into Network
Connections, right-click the connection representing your Local Area
Connection and select "Delete." Then exit and restart the computer, and go
back into Network Connections and Create a new connection.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

"edee em" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:FCE247EE-9043-4E05-AC6B-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for the info Chris. I think I want to uninstall/reinstall and
> reset
> things. What's the best way to do that? I know how to remove the
> software
> but what is the best way to detach the hardware and those connections
> made?
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> "Chris H" wrote:
>
>> If it is not your Workgroup, then I strongly suspect it is the anti
>> virus.
>> Perhaps you can find in the Help file within the program how to set the
>> "allowed" access of your LAN computers. Or check their web site for a
>> possible help forum.
>> --
>> Chris H.
>> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
>> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
>> http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
>> Associate Expert
>> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>
>> "edee em" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:304A4B06-B3CE-4F73-AEF8-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >I emailed support for my virus software and will wait for them to tell
>> >me
>> > it's not that. I did make sure I'm using the same workgroup name, so
>> > that's
>> > taken care of. The file sharing thing you mentioned: would that
>> > prevent
>> > the
>> > workgroup computers from showing up?
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>> > "Chris H" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Sounds a bit like your anti virus software may be blocking (and
>> >> hiding)
>> >> the
>> >> computers from each other. You might want to check the documentation
>> >> with
>> >> the program to make sure it is allowing LAN traffic among the
>> >> computers.
>> >> Beside that, check to make sure all the systems are part of the same
>> >> Workgroup. If they aren't, they're not going to be able to talk with
>> >> each
>> >> other. Oh, and the obvious thing we sometimes forget, is to make sure
>> >> you're actually sharing files and folders you want other computers to
>> >> access. 8-)
>> >> --
>> >> Chris H.
>> >> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
>> >> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
>> >> http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
>> >> Associate Expert
>> >> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> >>
>> >> "edee em" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> >> news:09786E82-FBCE-42FE-A487-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> >> >I have a wireless network set up as follows: 2 desktops (one
>> >> >downstairs
>> >> >and
>> >> > one upstairs) and a laptop running XP, mn700 base and mn710 usb
>> >> > adapter
>> >> > on
>> >> > the desktops and a wireless adapter that came with the laptop. I
>> >> > also
>> >> > use
>> >> > the broadband utility software that came with. I set everything up
>> >> > and
>> >> > the
>> >> > internet connection works on all machines. The wireless network
>> >> > shows
>> >> > up
>> >> > on
>> >> > all machines. The problem is when I try to connect to the other
>> >> > computers
>> >> > to
>> >> > read files. I am running a virus/spam/firewall application provided
>> >> > by
>> >> > my
>> >> > ISP (I believe it is F-secure).
>> >> >
>> >> > In the utility program I wait for the refreshing of network devices
>> >> > to
>> >> > refresh. I then get a message that "no devices were found on the
>> >> > network".
>> >> > When I first set things up, the basement computer showed up in the
>> >> > list.
>> >> > Now, nothing. I also viewed my network through my computer and
>> >> > looked
>> >> > into
>> >> > the "check computers in the workgroup" option and there are no
>> >> > computers
>> >> > listed except for the one I am on at the time.
>> >> >
>> >> > I would appreciate any advice that you may have. I have this
>> >> > sneaking
>> >> > suspicion that I might be better off disabling everything, removing
>> >> > whatever
>> >> > software there is and starting over. A second question I have,
>> >> > therefore,
>> >> > is
>> >> > how do i do that?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks
>> >>
>>

what antivirus software are you using?
check to see if the firewall is not blocking the network access.
I see this all the time with Symantec firewall. You have to tell the
firewall to trust your IP subnet. E.G 192.168.1.x

I do wireless installs all the time and encounter this.

If you have a mix of XP Pro and XP Home make sure simple file sharing is
enabled on the Pro machine. Make sure that the PC's are in the same
workgroup, and the TCP/IP address settings are set to DHCP. and file and
printer sharing is turned on and enabled in all firewall exceptions including
Microsoft Firewall (Even if you dont use it).


"edee em" wrote:

> I have a wireless network set up as follows: 2 desktops (one downstairs and
> one upstairs) and a laptop running XP, mn700 base and mn710 usb adapter on
> the desktops and a wireless adapter that came with the laptop. I also use
> the broadband utility software that came with. I set everything up and the
> internet connection works on all machines. The wireless network shows up on
> all machines. The problem is when I try to connect to the other computers to
> read files. I am running a virus/spam/firewall application provided by my
> ISP (I believe it is F-secure).
>
> In the utility program I wait for the refreshing of network devices to
> refresh. I then get a message that "no devices were found on the network".
> When I first set things up, the basement computer showed up in the list.
> Now, nothing. I also viewed my network through my computer and looked into
> the "check computers in the workgroup" option and there are no computers
> listed except for the one I am on at the time.
>
> I would appreciate any advice that you may have. I have this sneaking
> suspicion that I might be better off disabling everything, removing whatever
> software there is and starting over. A second question I have, therefore, is
> how do i do that?
>
> Thanks